Drama and Wembley. It was not until the Italians overcame that they pushed tough Austria

The duel at London’s Wembley, which ended without a goal in regular time, was decided between Federico Chiesa and Matteo Pessina between the 95th and 105th minutes. For the Austrians, Sasa Kalajdzic was given a chance to change things around.

In the quarterfinals in Munich on July 2, coach Robert Mancini’s charges will face either the FIFA world leaderboard Belgium or the trophy defender Portugal. Their match is scheduled for Sunday.

The Italians won the 12th match in a row. Since September 2018, they have not lost 31 matches, thus breaking the national record from the 1930s. The Austrians have not lost in the 14th game in a row since the preparatory duel in 1960.

Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collected after 1169 minutes, setting a national record in bulletproof play. His compatriot Dino Zoff did not score 1142 minutes between 1972 and 1974.

“We knew we would suffer because Austria is a typical team that won’t let you play well. The substitutes decided, but everyone put their best in. I’m very happy because the players did everything to win, even though they were tired,” Mancini quoted UEFA website.

The favored Italy created several chances in the first half, but none of them took hold. Barello’s shot from the first goalkeeper Bachmann kicked, Immobile’s shot from a distance ended at the junction of the crossbar and the pole and Spinazzol’s ground attempt by the Austrian goalkeeper pulled to the corner.

The Austrians, who presented themselves in the elimination phase for the first time at the third start on the Euro, added to the activity after the change of sides. First, Captain Alaba shot from a direct kick from the penalty area. Then, after his pass, he pushed his head up close with a bounce from the crossbar of Arnautovic. However, the great joy of Austria was thwarted by the intervention of a video referee, who revealed the offside.

The match unexpectedly reached extra time, but the favorite did not allow a sensation in it and after less than five minutes he prevailed. Spinazzola found a free Chies on the right, who got rid of Laimer and opened the score with a shot from an angle to the far post.

At the end of the first extra time, Bachmann pushed Insigne’s direct kick into the corner, but then Pessina shot him out of a small lime. “I will remember the goal for the rest of my career. Everyone on our team can score, that is our main strength. We are a great team,” said Pessina.

Franca Fody did not give him a good choice, and as Schaub finished off a quick charge from the left of the pitch. A moment later, he aimed closely at Sabitzer.

The Austrians did see it. Kalajdzic placed his head in the center of Schaub from the corner and ended Donnarumm’s record series without a goal. Italy collected after 11 matches, but did not allow Austria another opportunity.

“The whole country can be proud of this team. The little things have decided. I scored an amazing goal. I don’t think I’ve ever had my head so close to the ground before,” Kalajdzic told ORF.

“It’s hard for me to find words now. If luck came to us, we would win after 90 minutes. We played very well and created chances, but we could finish them better. The team deserves recognition,” said Marko Arnautovic.

European Football Championship – Round of 16 (London):

Italy – Austria 2: 1 after extra time (0:0, 0:0)

Goals: 95. Church, 105. Pessina – 114. Kalajdzic. Judges: Taylor – Beswick, Nunn – Attwell (video, all English). ZK: Di Lorenzo, Barella – Arnautovic, Hinteregger, Dragovic. Audience: limited number.

Itálie: Donnarumma – Di Lorenzo, Bonucci, Acerbi, Spinazzola – Barella (67. Pessina), Jorginho, Verratti (67. Locatelli) – Berardi (84. Chiesa), Immobile (84. Belotti), Insigne (108. Cristante). Trenér: Mancini.

Rakousko: Bachmann – Lainer (114th Trimmel), Dragovic, Hinteregger, Alaba – X. Schlager (106th Gregoritsch), Grillitsch (106th Schaub) – Laimer (114th Ilsanker), Sabitzer, Baumgartner (90th Schöpf) – Arnautovic (97. Kalajdzic). Trenér: Foda.

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