SPAIN head to Italy looking to avenge a Euro 2020 semi-final defeat and claim some silverware of their own.
La Roja were edged out by the Azzurri on penalties at Wembley after the teams played out a 1-1 draw over 120 minutes.
And they now meet on Italian soil in another semi – that of the Uefa Nations League.
Italy were unbeaten as they topped a group containing Netherlands, Poland and Bosnia back in 2019.
Spain meanwhile clinched top spot with a memorable 6-0 hammering of Germany.
- Kick-off: 7.45pm
- TV/ live stream: Sky Sports Football
- Italy XI: Donnarumma, Di Lorenzo, Verratti, Jorginho, Insigne, Emerson, Chiesa, Barella, Bonucci, Bernardeschi, Bastoni
- Spain XI: Unai Simon, Azpilicueta, Pau Torres, Sergio Busquets, Koke, Gavi, Ferran Torres, Alonso, Laporte, Oyarzabal, Sarabia.
RISK–FREE BET – Claim £20 risk-free bet on Italy vs Spain Nations League semi-final
Follow ALL of the latest updates below…
GOODNIGHT
That’s all from us in Milan where Spain have recorded a memorable victory that not only ends Italy’s world record unbeaten run, but takes La Roja soaring into the Nations League final.
The competition has its critics, but try telling the supporters, players and coaching staff of Spain that this was just a glorified friendly. The reaction at full time said it all as the Spanish celebrated a victory that banishes the memories of their European Championship semi-final defeat to the same team earlier in the year.
Luis Enrique’s side will now face the winners of tomorrow’s semi-final between Belgium against France on Sunday evening, and we’ll be right here with live coverage. Can this young Spain side go one step further to claim the second edition of the Nations League? Join us then to find out.
SUPER SUB
There were a number of impressive performances in the Spain ranks this evening including Ferran Torres, Mikel Oyarzabal and Marcos Alonso, not to mention 17-year-old debutant Gavi.
However, it was another teenager, Yeremi Pino, that shone brightest during his second half cameo. The 18-year-old Villarreal forward is certainly one to watch.
Credit: @SofaScoreINT Twitter FULL TIME STATS
Spain racked up a whopping 815 passes as they dominated Italy in their own backyard, becoming the first side to beat them since September 2018.
FT: ITALY 1-2 SPAIN
After a world record 37 games unbeaten, Italy finally taste defeat and it’s their first on home soil this century. The damage was done in the first half when Ferran Torres converted two delicious Mikel Oyarzabal crosses either side of Leonardo Bonucci’s red card. Spain controlled the second period yet a late Lorenzo Pellegrini goal set up a grandstand finish. La Roja held on though, and will now face the winners of Belgium against France. in Sunday’s final.
PEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP!
SPAIN TRIUMPH AT THE SAN SIRO!ITALY 1-2 SPAIN
90+6. Calabria clips the set-piece into the area, and, for a split-second, Locatelli looks ready to latch on to the ball.
However, Unai Simon is alert to the danger, and leaps off his line to claim the ball. The Spain goalkeeper holds on to it for dear life, and knows his side are on the verge of a historic win.
ITALY 1-2 SPAIN
90+4. A clash of heads between Kean and Laporte brings the physios on to the field, and may mean the the game is now up.
That said, when both players recover, Italy will have the free-kick approximately 40 yards from goal.
ITALY 1-2 SPAIN
90+2. A sensational challenge from Di Lorenzo keeps Italy in the tie.
The right-back times his tackle inside the box to perfection to deny Gil from laying on a killer goal.
Still they hope.
ITALY 1-2 SPAIN
90. The fourth official’s board goes up to indicate five minutes and that too lifts the home crowd.
ITALY 1-2 SPAIN
89. Oyarzabal clashes with Calabria, and he becomes the latest player to see yellow. I’ve lost count of how many cautions that is now.
It’s amazing we’ve only had the one red.
ITALY 1-2 SPAIN
86. Hopes of the latest Italian attack developing into something sensational are quickly dashed when Chiesa concedes an unnecessary free-kick.
ITALY 1-2 SPAIN
85. The Azzurri are desperately trying to get numbers and the ball forward.
Spain are trying to keep hold of possession, but there is a renewed energy about the Italians. They want to keep their unbeaten run going.
What a finish this is, and it’s one we didn’t expect.
ITALY 1-2 SPAIN
82. Well! Well! Well! Nobody saw this coming!
Italy break out of defence from a Spain corner, and when Yeremi Pino undersells his header back to Pau Torres, Federico Chiesa nips in to leave himself clean through on goal.
The Juventus man does all the running to face up to Unai Simon, but at the last moment lays a pass right to leave Lorenzo Pellegrini with a simple tap in.
The Italians grab the ball and make for the centre circle and, all of a sudden, the San Siro has come to life.
Game on!
GOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAALLLLLL!!
LORENZO PELLEGRINI PULLS ONE BACK!!ITALY 0-2 SPAIN
82. Locatelli goes into the book. The midfielder is penalised for a foul on Yeremi.
ITALY 0-2 SPAIN
79. Wonderful footwork from Yeremi, who glides beyond two Italians on the right.
His cross into Alonso isn’t bad either, and neither is the subsequent save from Donnarumma once the Chelsea man gets his shot away.
Bryan Gil tries to follow up to knock in the loose ball, but desperate defending denies the Spain substitute.
ITALY 0-2 SPAIN
76. Bryan Gil nearly makes an immediate impact but can’t beat Donnarumma to a through ball and Italy survive.
ITALY 0-2 SPAIN
75. A double Spain change will eat up a few more seconds, and interrupt any flow that the Italians are trying to build.
Mikel Merino and Bryan Gil are the players on with Koke and Pablo Sarabia making way.
ITALY 0-2 SPAIN
72. Busquets is caught in possession, and is should spark an Italy chance.
Kean brings play forward to the edge of the area but with options to either side, he overcooks his pass and it allows Spain to fall back into position.
ITALY 0-2 SPAIN
72. A fifth and final substitution for the Italians brings Davide Calabria into the action. The Milan defender is on for Nicolo Barella.
ITALY 0-2 SPAIN
70. Italy haven’t had much experience of losing in the last couple of years, and their behaviour here shows that they’re not very good at it.
Their players react furiously to a 50-50 challenge involving Yeremi and Locatelli, clearly trying to prompt the referee into taking action against the young Spain substitute.
It works too, Yeremi is shown a yellow card.
ITALY 0-2 SPAIN
68. Gavi nearly marks an unforgettable night by weaving his way into the penalty area, only to be unbalanced at the final moment by the experience of strength of Chiellini.
There are half-hearted claims for a spotkick, but there’s really little in the challenge.
ITALY 0-2 SPAIN
66. Italy have made their fourth change, by the way.
Jorginho’s night of scowling at a 17-year-old is over. He is replaced by Lorenzo Pellegrini.
ITALY 0-2 SPAIN
65. Pablo Sarabia is the latest player to go into the book. He catches Chiellini with a high boot.
ITALY 0-2 SPAIN
63. It should be three!
Some superb old-fashioned wingplay from Yeremi, who tricks his way past his man and then crosses from the byline.
Oyarzabal is up highest at the far post to meet, but knocks his header wide of a gaping goal.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
