Euro 2000 Group B - Belgium 0 Italy 2

Italy are almost certain of a place in the quarter finals at Euro 2000 after a 2-0 win over co hosts Belgium in Brussels.

The Italians are clearly improving as the tournament progresses but Belgium produced consistent and excellent spells of attacking to play after they fell behind to an early goal from Francesco Totti.

The Belgians did not manage to find a way past Fiorentina goalkeeper Francesco Toldo who was the master of several strong attacks from the home team. Toldo dispels fears over nerves after his performance against Turkey at the weekend to ensure an Italian win that leaves them top of Group B with a maximum six points. They will lead the section going into their final match next week against Sweden.

Italy started very positively and captain Paolo Maldini raided down the left hand side and into the penalty area to slap a shot at Belgian goalkeeper Filip De Wilde which he beat into the path of striker Filippo Inzaghi. Instead of hitting the ball first time into an empty net the Juventus star let it run past time and by the time he released his shot on the turn De Wilde was back in goal to claw away the low drive before it could cross the line.

Inzaghi's indecision has helped to fuel rumours of a Juventus move for Real Madrid striker Nicolas Anelka.

The Turin club were hard in the chase to sign the French forward last summer and members of the French team at Euro 2000 have been telling reporters that Anelka will play for Juve next season.

A few seconds after the fluff from Inzaghi AS Roma star Francesco Totti put Italy into the lead.

Totti headed in a cross from Demetrio Albertini in the sixth minute but seconds later Bart Goor set the tempo for the rest of the game with a drive against the bar with his left foot from outside the penalty area.

Thus helped to inspire total Belgian domination of the play as Italy stuck to defence with the Belgian midfield pouring forward.

Toldo saved a shot on the turn from Emile Mpenza and a 14th minute shot on the run from Marc Wilmots while Wilmots forced Toldo to save at his feet in the 20th minute.

Italy claimed a penalty in the 22nd minute for handball but Belgium were back on the attack with speculative shots from long range by Branko Strupar before Toldo saved in the 36th minute from a Goor drive.

Only seconds into the second half Toldo had to palm away a volley from the penalty spot by defender Lorenzo Staelens and a dipping free kick from substitute Luc Nilis followed in the 63rd minute as the Viola 'keeper continued to mount a painful barrier to the Belgian attack.

What Toldo and Italy were waiting for duly arrived as Udinese midfielder Stefano Fiore played a one-two on the edge of the penalty area and steered a right foot shot wide of De Wilde into the corner of the net to seal the victory.

Belgium continued to dominate possession with Italian sub Marco Delvecchio scoring but the goal was ruled out for a foul by the Roma striker in the 78th minute.

The other Euro 2000 contenders have to beware of Italy now. This was a masterpiece of tournament football from the Italians and a lesson to others in how to gather points to qualify for knockout matches. The form of Toldo could yet decide the title later this month.