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Pelle's cracker caps Italy win over Belgium in exciting contest

Ian MacNicol / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Lyon - Goals in either half from Emanuele Giaccherini and Graziano Pelle ensured Italy hit the ground running at Euro 2016 as the Azzurri confined highly-fancied Belgium to a 2-0 defeat on Monday.

Marc Wilmots' Belgium, the highest ranked side coming into the tournament, dominated for long spells of the clash at the Stade de Lyon.

But Giaccherini's strike just after the half hour and Southampton striker Pelle's stunning finish in stoppage time meant it was future Chelsea manager Antonio Conte's men who took the three points as they look to emulate their run to the Euro 2012 final.

Related - Watch: Giaccherini slots Italy ahead after Bonucci wonder pass

Sweden's 1-1 draw with the Republic of Ireland earlier at the Stade de France means Italy goes top of the group.

Italy's 'BBC' defence, Andre Barzagli, Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini, stood firm to deny the Belgian attack throughout the match, and the Italians took the game by the scruff of the neck midway through the first-half with Giaccherini's opener.

Though there were some openings for the favoured Red Devils, they were unable to find an equaliser, and Italy sealed the three points in stunning fashion deep into stoppage time when Pelle smashed home Antonio Candreva's cross.

Conte's Italy next faces Sweden in Toulouse on Friday, whilst Belgium faces a crucial clash with Ireland on Saturday in Bordeaux.

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