Italy beat Spain 4-2 on penalties to reach the Euro 2020 final after an enthralling semi-final at a noisy Wembley on Tuesday.
Federico Chiesa looked as if he had sent Italy – who are unbeaten in 33 games – to the final in normal time with a delightful curled finish to cap off a quick counter.
But Alvaro Morata stepped off the bench to slot an equaliser for Spain with 10 minutes to go after a one-two with Dani Olmo, forcing the game to go into extra time.
The game ended 1-1 after extra time, prompting a penalty shootout to decide a winner.
Morata’s miss in the shootout proved costly as Spain lost a semi-final for the first time in their history and Italy the victors at 4-2 on spot-kicks.
Roberto Mancini’s Italian side have been arguably the best team in the tournament – and had won their previous 13 games – and deserve their place in the final.
However, this was the toughest they have had to work in the tournament.
Italy started the game brightly but Spain began to take control in midfield, with captain Sergio Busquets effectively conducting proceedings in the middle of the park for La Roja.
The Azurri had to revert their old defensive ways to curb the marauding attacks of Spain.
The situation, however, changed in the second half as Chiesa broke the deadlock on the hour mark. A counter-attack began with goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma and ended with Chiesa’s perfect finish from near the edge of the box, leaving goalkeeper Unai Simon rooted to the spot.
Spain responded well, Mikel Oyarzabal and Dani Olmo looking menacing. La Roja went straight up the other end and Morata, brought on after the Italy goal, levelled following a smart passing exchange with Olmo.
The game stretched into extra time and then into the lottery of penalties.
Spain’s Simón saved the first kick from Manuel Locatelli, but Olmo failed to give his team the advantage as he blazed his penalty over the crossbar.
Spain’s fourth attempt from Morata was stopped by Donnarumma and Jorginho nonchalantly waited for Spain keeper Simon to move before slotting the other way to send them through to the final.
Italy would play against the other semi-final winner: England or Denmark, on Sunday’s final at Wembley.
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