Ten-man Belgium came back from one goal down to take a 2-1 lead over Italy in the first half of their quarterfinal at the Beijing Olympic Games on Saturday.

Striker Kevin Mirallas scored Belgium's second goal just before the interval when he shrugged off Italian defender Salvatore Bocchetti and put the ball into the net.

With only 17 minutes into play, Belgium found themselves in trouble after defender Thomas Vermaelen was expelled for pulling down Italian forward Robert Acquafresca inside the area. Thanks to his foul Italy was awarded a penalty which was converted by Giuseppe Rossi.

With one player less, the underdog Belgium went all out to equalise the score, and they did it in the 24th minute when striker Moussa Dembele headed in a controversial equaliser in the 24th minute off a corner. Refree ruled the goal stood after an Italian defender kicked the ball out near the goal-line.

Source: Xinhua