Italy Inches Closer to Quarterfinals

Italy moved closer to a quarterfinal berth in the European Championship by defeating co-host Belgium, 2-0, Wednesday behind goals from Francesco Totti and Stefano Fiore.

Totti’s header put Italy in front after only six minutes and, after goalkeeper Francesco Toldo made a string of saves to deny the Belgians, Fiore hit a 20-yard strike in the 66th minute.

“That was a great boost for our morale,” Italy Coach Dino Zoff said. “But we have to watch out. This doesn’t mean yet that we’re in the quarterfinals, but it does make all Italians very happy.”

Ninety minutes before kickoff at King Baudouin Stadium, Italian players Paolo Maldini and Antonio Conte laid flowers at a plaque commemorating the 39 victims--including 33 Italians--of the 1985 Heysel tragedy, the worst hooligan riot in European soccer history.

Italy (2-0) closes Group B play against Sweden on Monday.

Meanwhile, German captain Oliver Bierhoff injured his right calf muscle in practice Wednesday and will miss the defending champion’s key encounter Saturday against England.