Italy reaches Euro 2020 Final

Italy reaches Euro 2020 Final beating Spain 4-2 on penalties.

Italy reached the Euro 2020 final after beating Spain 4-2 on penalties following a convincing 1-1 draw after extra time on Tuesday, completing a remarkable recovery after failing to qualify for the last World Cup.

Jorginho coldly launched the decisive shot that passed Spanish goalkeeper Unai Simon in the semi-final at Wembley after Álvaro Morata was thwarted by a good save from Italy’s Gianluigi Donnarumma and Dani Olmo fired over the crossbar.

Italy’s substitutes and coaching staff took to the pitch to celebrate in front of their jubilant supporters behind the goal after a shot from Jorginho saved them their place in Sunday’s final against England or Denmark.

Roberto Mancini’s team took the hour ahead via a sensational curling iron from Federico Chiesa to complete a sweeping counterattack that began with goalkeeper Donnarumma catching a Spain cross and rolling the ball.

Morata, who had been knocked out of the starting lineup after starting all of Spain’s previous games, tied with 10 minutes to go, calmly placing himself in the bottom corner after bursting forward and trading a one-two with Olmo.

Italian Federico Bernardeschi scores a penalty during the penalty shootout. (REUTERS / Andy Rain)

The goal was the last twist in a hectic few weeks for Morata, who has been booed and even faced death threats from Spanish fans after a couple of poor performances, before redeeming himself with a crucial goal in the win. 5-3 over Croatia.

But their tournament ended in dismay, as his tedious shooting allowed Jorginho to clinch victory for Italy, continuing his sensational run, having collected a host of group stage victories and knocking out top-ranked Belgium in the quarterfinals.

“Spain was great, they have star players but we fought to the end and we did it,” said the Italian Chiesa.

“When (Manuel) Locatelli missed the first penalty, everyone was calm saying that we could do it and in the end, our group helped us at the moment.”

Mancini’s team is looking to win the European Championship for the first time since 1968 and secure their first major trophy since winning the 2006 World Cup.

Italy took revenge for their penalty shoot-out defeat to Spain in the quarterfinals of Euro 2008 and their resounding defeat in the final of Euro 2012 and completed a second consecutive Euro victory over the Spaniards following their victory. 2-0 in the knockout stages of Euro 2016.

Spain coach Luis Enrique couldn’t take anything away from his team.

“They only wanted to get to penalties in extra time, but we could have played half an hour more. We can be happy and proud of what we have seen. We keep trying to play our way, “he said.

“Everyone can be proud of this team, we have many young players who have done things that could not be imagined at their age and we were a team from start to finish.”

Scorching atmosphere

Wembley’s capacity was expanded to 60,000 and while coronavirus restrictions prevented fans from traveling abroad, the ex-pat communities in the two countries turned out to pack each end behind the goal and create a scorching atmosphere, which increased the sense of the occasion between the two titans of international football.

Italy got off to an intense start, but Spain dominated the first half, although Mancini’s team came closer to scoring when Emerson slashed the crossbar just before halftime.

The second half was even more intense as gaps were opened at both ends and Spain captain Sergio Busquets missed a great opportunity when he sent a shot over the crossbar.

Then Chiesa broke the deadlock by pouncing on a fumble after an ultimate tackle from Aymeric Laporte and slipped into the net to score his second goal of the tournament after also scoring at Wembley against Austria.

Italy could have ended the match, but Simon twice saved Domenico Berardi and Morata made them pay.

Spain seemed more likely to find a winner in the remaining minutes and in extra time but failed to claim a second penalty shootout victory after beating Switzerland in the quarter-finals.

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