Tonight, two of Europe's football powers were to try to play in the European Championship final. Both teams went into the match undefeated, but a team had to suffer its first defeat in this tournament.
The match started out at a high pace, with both teams taking turns having sequences on the ball. The first big chance was to fall after 13 minutes, when Pedri with a fantastic pass played Mikel Oyarzabal free in the Italian field. The technique failed, however, and the Spanish winger did not even finish as he did not get the ball under control.
Ten minutes later, the Spaniards were back in action when the ball luckily found its way to Daniel Olmo in the Italian field. The RB Leipzig player finished in two innings, but Gianluigi Donnarumma dished up an excellent save on the hard finish that slipped through the defense.
Spain got more and more involved in the match, but the danger constantly lurked around the insecure Spanish defense, which, however, had to reject the few Italian approaches that were during the first half. Shortly before the break, however, it was about to go wrong when Emerson from a sharp angle finished high and hard in the short corner, but the Italians then had to reject the crossbar attempt.
Thus, both teams went to the break without scoring.
The second half also started hectically, and within the first ten minutes both teams came close. First it was Sergio Busquets who kicked close over the Italian goal from the edge of the box, and subsequently it was Federico Chiesa who tested Unai Simon with a hard finish towards the long corner. However, the Spanish goalkeeper showed safe hands and took care of the attempt.
After an hour, the first goal of the match came, and it was Italy who took the lead. Chiesa picked up a loose ball after a quick counterattack and after a good move into the box, he put the ball perfectly over in the long corner with no chance for Simon in goal. 1-0 to Italy.
Spain now had to hunt, and therefore Álvaro Morata was sent on the field. It should give paw ten minutes before time when the Juventus striker got equalized. Morata received the ball from Aymeric Laporte and turned up the field. Here he played a one-two with Olmo, and then he was completely free in the Italian field. Alone with Donnarumma, Morata did not fail and he coolly kicked the ball into goal with a felt finish.
The match ended 1-1 and then it stood on extended playing time.
Spain looked like the team that had the most power left during the first 15 minutes, but despite several good chances, it was still 1-1 when the last quarter of the match was whistled.
Ten minutes before time, Italy actually got the ball in the net, but the goal was correctly canceled as Domenico Berardi had run offside. Therefore, the match had to be decided in penalty kick competition.
Italian Manuel Locatelli was the first man at the spot, but he burned. Simon danced on the line and went to the right side. Dani Olmo was the first shooter for Spain, but he also burned when he kicked far over.
Andrea Belotti was the next man for Italy and he certainly scored with a hard kick out at the post despite Simon going to the right side. Gerard Moreno equalized on the next kick. Donnarumma went to the right side, but kicked sat up under the net.
Leonardo Bonucci had to try to put Italy ahead again, and he certainly did when Simon went to the wrong side. Thiago was the next shooter for Spain and he was the security himself.
Federico Bernardeschi put Italy ahead again, and when Morata fired the ensuing kick, Jorginho was able to send Italy into the European Championship final. With his classic jump, he quietly kicked the ball opposite of Simon, and Italy is therefore ready for the final on Saturday.