On Tuesday, the first of two European Championship semi-finals was decided when Italy faced Spain. In advance, there was no clear favorite and it was simply uncertain which team would emerge victorious from the battle.
The first half was even, even though Spain had a clear game advantage. Italy was low and defended well – and the team also had a couple of adjustment positions. At the end of the half, Italy was also close to taking the lead when Emerson punched the crossbar with a finish from the left in the penalty area.
No dividend then – but a quarter into second Italy took the lead.
After a quick change, Federico Chiesa intercepted the ball and with a clinical finish from the left side of the penalty area, the outside put in 1-0 for Italy. A class goal from the Juventus player.
Just a few minutes later, Spain had a great opportunity to equalize. Mikel Oyarzabal was given a chance to change things around. He got past the defenders and fired a shot that the keeper just missed. 1 – 1 for the visitors.
For the rest of the second half, Spain had a massive ball possession. Italy defended low and also had a couple of dangerous transition situations. For example, Domenico Berardi got a good position on the right in the penalty area, but the outside end went in the middle of Unai Simon in Spain’s goal.
Spain’s clear game advantage would also pay off. With ten minutes left wall play, Alvaro Morata substituted forward and free with Gianluigi Donnarumma placed the forward in 1-1. Beautiful goal by Morata and a beautiful performance from Dani Olmo.
The match eventually went to extra time where Spain got a good position in the first extra time quarter. The ball steamed down in front of Morata’s feet after a post-free kick, but the forward’s finish was blocked and the ball went out to a goalless corner.
The extra time was also goalless and the match thus went to penalties. There, Italy pulled the longest straw since Morata missed Spain’s fourth penalty and Jorginho placed the decisive one for Italy.
– It is a weak penalty and it is also poorly placed. Donnarumma did not even have to stretch out. It is not skilled enough, said C More’s expert Hasse Backe about Morata’s penalty in the broadcast from the match.
With Italy winning the penalty shootout, they are ready for the final of the European Championships. There they face either England or Denmark, which of the teams will be decided on Wednesday when they meet in the semifinals.
– It’s cruel with penalties. Spain is a good team that played really well. We did not play as we usually do, but we fought hard and we knew it would be like this, says Italian national team captain Roberto Mancini according to Football-Italia and continues:
– But it’s not over now. We must gather and be ready for what is left and prepare for the final.
So was the whole punishment:
Penalty 1: Manuel Locatelli, Italy – miss
Penalty 2: Dani Olmo, Spain – miss
Penalty 3: Andrea Belotti, Italy – goal
Penalty 4: Gerard Moreno, Spain – goal
Penalty 5: Leonardo Bonucci, Italy – goal
Punishment 6: Thiago Alcantara, Spain – goal
Punishment 7: Federico Bernardeschi, Italy – goal
Penalty 8: Alvaro Morata, Spain – miss
Penalty 9: Jorginho, Italy – goal
Startelvor:
Italy: Donnarumma – Di Lorenzo, Bonucci, Chiellini, Emerson – Barella, Jorginho, Verratti – Church, Building, Insigne.
Spain: Simón – Azpilicueta, Laporte, García, Alba – Koke, Busquets, Pedri – Torres, Oyarzabal, Olmo.
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