Italy became the first nation to book their place in Sunday’s Euro 2020 final as they beat Spain on penalties at Wembley on Tuesday.
Dani Olmo and Alvaro Morata missed from the spot for Spain to tee up penalty specialist Jorginho to score the winning goal following a 1-1 draw after extra time.
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Federico Chiesa had given Italy the lead in the second half but substitute Morata drew Spain level to take the game to an additional 30 minutes.
Luis Enrique’s side were the better team overall, despite going into the game as underdogs, but lacked that cutting edge to avoid penalties.
Italy will meet the winners of Wednesday’s other semifinal between England and Denmark in the final this weekend.
Morata was the surprise absentee from the Spain lineup in London, with Luis Enrique opting to play without an out-and-out striker.
However, despite Italy making a bright start, it was Spain who took control of the game, with Pedri’s incisive pass creating a great chance for Mikel Oyarzabal.
Unai Simon got away with a moment of madness at the other end but a pattern was developing with Italy forced to sit back.
On the counter, though, Roberto Mancini’s side took the lead, with Chiesa finishing well.
Morata’s equaliser was good. He exchanged passes with the impressive Olmo and slotted past Gianluigi Donnarumma after coming off the bench.
From there, there was only one winner but Spain couldn’t find the chance to avoid a shootout, where they came up short this time having knocked out Switzerland via penalties in the last round.
Olmo blazed over after Simon has saved from Manuel Locatelli but Morata’s missed spot-kick, saved by Donnarumma, allowed Jorginho to stroke home the winner for the Italians.
Spain’s Euro 2020 campaign ends, then, but with time they will reflect on a successful few weeks.
No one expected Luis Enrique’s side to make the semifinal, let alone come within a whisker of the final.
The tournament ends with a first semifinal at a major tournament since 2012, the emergence of Pedri on the international stage and promise for the future in the performances of Aymeric Laporte, Ferran Torres and Olmo, among others.
With the World Cup to come next year, Luis Enrique’s side are in good shape. They’re also in good hands.