Leonardo Spinazzola will be a big miss for Roberto Mancini’s side after suffering injury last time out, but otherwise both nations are likely to have full squads to choose from, though there are questions over Pablo Sarabia’s fitness. Follow the Euro 2020 semi-final between Italy and Spain here:
REPORT: Jorginho sends Italy into Euro 2020 final after penalty shootout victory over Spain
After offering a vision of the future, and a game for the ages, Italy reach the final of Euro 2020 in the most vintage manner, writes Miguel Delaney.
They hung on, dug in, and eventually got through on penalties. This remarkable victory over a resilient Spain was the first game they didn’t really deserve to win, but that will perhaps only foster belief that they will win this European Championship.
That’s the other side of these victories. There is a real value in the sheer valour shown, the defiance, the spirit of battle. It’s just that, while they more than deserve to be in this final for their whole campaign up to this, Spain deserved it on the night.
Dani Olmo inspires best of Spain as false nine but Italy prevail on penalties in Euro 2020 semi-final
Ahead of Spain’s Euro 2020 semi-final with Italy, you may have thought that this was a contest taking place entirely between the two penalty boxes.
This was a meeting between two of European football’s powerhouses, but it was billed as a battle of midfields. The lines had been drawn, and Italy against Spain felt as much of a contest between Sergio Busquets and Nicola Barella, Koke and Marco Verratti, Pedri and Jorginho than a match of two nations.
But, on a tense and thrilling night at Wembley, there was a surprise addition which tipped the balance of the duel: the introduction of Dani Olmo as a false nine.
Italy are through to their fourth Euros final, with only Germany (six) competing in more. The Azzurri’s only success in this tournament came way back in 1968 – in a 2-0 replay victory against Yugoslavia in Rome.
Federico Chiesa was given the star of the match award for his glorious opening goal but his night ended in extra-time when he was subbed of for Federico Bernardeschi who scored in the deciding penalty shootout.
After the game Chiesa said:
I cannot describe my emotion by words, it was a tough match, Spain were great tonight but we come back here on 11 July for the final. We will see, we will see.
“Spain were great, they have star players but we fought until the end and we did it.
“When Locatelli missed the first penalty, everyone was calm saying we can do it and at the end our group helped us in the moment.”
Jorginho sends Italy into Euro 2020 final after penalty shootout victory over Spain
After offering a vision of the future, and a game for the ages, Italy reach the final of Euro 2020 in the most vintage manner.
They hung on, dug in, and eventually got through on penalties. This remarkable victory over a resilient Spain was the first game they didn’t really deserve to win, but that will perhaps only foster belief that they will win this European Championship.
Euro 2020 got its epic encounter as Spain win tactical battle but Italy progress
When it arrived, wrapped in complete chef’s kiss glory with the noise generated threatening to raise the roof off Wembley, a match of the highest quality felt more whole:
Tempo, tension, drama, penalties. You can’t ask for more in a major tournament semi-final.
Spain put in their best performance of the tournament over the course of the 120 minutes but it wasn’t enough. Italy look like the real deal. Whoever reaches the final, England or Denmark, will have their work cut out to stop this team.
You’ve got to feel for Alvaro Morata. He came on as a second half substitute, scored the equaliser for Spain, but then had his penalty saved in the shootout to leave Jorginho the opportunity to in it.
This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.
Strictly Necessary Cookies
Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.
If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again.
Africana55 Radio 
