Stefano Fiore proclaimed himself as the new maestro of Italian football last night with the spectacular goal that all but ensured his country's qualification to the quarter-finals.

The 22-year-old's original inclusion spawned criticism of coach Dino Zoff but he has emerged almost from nowhere as the principal play-maker of the Azzurri.

Zoff preferred to use the unfashionable Udinese player in midfield ahead of Roma's Francesco Totti, who played in attack instead.

Indeed, there is a feeling that even if Italy actually win the tournament, Zoff will still quit.

But if he is to go then his squad are working hard on the perfect leaving present, having already beaten Turkey and forcing the team's critics to review their views on the side who were unimpressive on their route to the finals.

But against Belgium Zoff's tactics and choices again paid off. Totti scored a brilliant sixth-minute opener while, behind him, Fiore gradually increased his influence on a game that was still in the balance until the midfielder stunned those in the King Baudouin Stadium with Italy's second.

Totti said: 'The squad are very much together now. We were not playing well before the tournament but we are finding ourselves now, we are finding ourselves as a team.'

The effort had to be collective to withstand the Belgian resistance after Totti so impressively put his side ahead.

The Roma player leaped skyward to produce a stunning diving header from Demetrio Albertini's cross but goal-keeper Francesco Toldo was just as important to the victory, making a series of stunning saves.

None was more important than that which prevented Bart Goor equalising two minutes after Totti's strike. Toldo somehow got himself to a searing delivery, touching the ball on to the bar.

There were other important saves as Belgium, who beat Sweden in their first Group B game, maintained impressive momentum. But even if Italy's present rearguard do not possess the resilient qualities of former teams, they are at least stubborn and possess a high work ethic.

The sweat that was put in to protect the lead was finally rewarded by the sublime moment of the match when Fiore came up with the most important goal of his meteoric rise to fame.

He moved forward, past Marc Wilmots, to touch the ball to Filippo Inzaghi, then accepted the return and produced a marvellous right-foot strike from almost 30 yards which goalkeeper Filip De Wilde never had a chance of stopping.

The celebrations then began for the Italian supporters, whose lack of numbers in the first game against Turkey suggested that they had little faith in their team.

But they, too, are now beginning to believe and Zoff admitted: 'We never thought we would have six points after two games. Now, suddenly, we are sitting comfortably.'

Only a dramatic reversal of fortune can stop Italy winning their group and England could meet them in the last eight.

That prospect, before the tournament began, may have induced optimism. But the Italians proved last night that they still have style and that they still know how to win.

Italy (3-5-2): Toldo; Cannavaro, Nesta, Iuliano; Zambrotta, Conte, Fiore (Ambrosini 88mins) Albertini, Maldini; Totti (Del Piero 63mins), Inzaghi (Delvecchio 78). Booked: Conte, Zambrotta

Belgium (4-4-2): De Wilde; Deflandre, Valgaeren, Staelens, Van Kerckhoven (Hendrikx 43mins); Verheyen, Vanderhaeghe, Wilmots, Goor; Strupar (Nilis 56mins), Mpenza. Booked: Wilmots

Referee: Jose Maria Garcia-Aranda (Spain).