Euro 2020 1st semis Highlights: Italy beats Spain in penalty shootout

Spain had lost just two of their last 14 meetings against Italy before today's match. Check Euro Cup 2021 semifinal date, Italy vs Spain semis date and timing here

Italy qualified for the final of the European Championships after beating Spain in a dramatic penalty shootout at Wembley after 120 minutes of football had ended 1-1.

Although Spain keeper Unai Simon saved the first Italian penalty taken by Manuel Locatelli, Dani Olmo fired over for the Spanish and Alvaro Morata saw his spot kick saved before Jorginho calmly slotted home to send the Italians into the final on Tuesday, reports Xinhua.

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It was harsh on the Spanish, who played arguably their best football of the tournament and should have won the game in 90 minutes.

The only change made by Italy coach Roberto Mancini ahead of the game was to bring Emerson in at left back for the injured Leonardo Spinazzola, while Luis Enrique brought Eric Garcia for Pau Torres in defence, while Dani Olmo and Mikel Oyarzabal replaced Alvaro Morata and Pablo Sarabia, who has a muscle injury.

The Spain coach was clearly looking for greater mobility and a high line of pressure against an organised Italian defence and after an even opening five minutes, Spain took control by swamping Jorginho and Verratti with their midfield pressure.

Oyarzabal wasted the first chance to open the scoring when he mis-controlled Pedri's pass when clean through on goal.

Ferran Torres then shot wide and Del Olmo saw a shot well saved by Gianluigi Donnarumma, while Italy had a chance only for Barella to be crowded out with Spain keeper Unai Simon out of his ground.

Italy vs Spain video highlights

 

Italy had controlled the ball in their earlier games and were clearly uncomfortable against Spain's pace and aggression.

They failed to manage a single shot until Unai palmed away Emerson's effort in the 45th minute, while the Spanish will have been disappointed at not working Donnarumma more despite their dominance.

The second half started as the first ended with Di Lorenzo putting Olmo's cross out for a corner with Torres waiting to pounce, before Sergio Busquets fired just over after a pass from Oyarzabal.

At the other end, Unai got down well to save from Chiesa after a rare Italy break, before Oyarzabal's effort went straight at Donnarumma from outside of the area.

Chiesa put Italy ahead with a curling shot into the corner of the net in the 60th minute after Eric Garcia allowed him to cut inside and pick his spot.

Luis Enrique reacted quickly with Alvaro Morata and Gerard Moreno quickly on the pitch, but things looked to be going Italy's way as they took the pace out of the game until the 80th minute when Morata collected the ball in midfield, exchanged passes with Olmo and scored with a low finish.

Euro 2020 First semifinal: Italy vs Spain FINALSCORE

FINAL SCORE (Penalty Shootout): ITALY 4 | 2 SPAIN

Italian national team players celebrate after defeating Spain via penalty shootout in the semi-finals of Euro 2020

EXTRA TIME: ITALY 1 | 1 SPAIN

6 minutes left in second half

First period of extra time remains goalless.

FULL TIME: ITALY 1 | 1 SPAIN

After the 90 minutes of play nothing separates the two powerhouse of European Football. Morata, who came as a substitute in second half for Spain, scored the equaliser in the 80th minute to push the first semifinal into extra time.

Three minutes of stoppage time added

Spain football team manager Luis Enrique celebrates after a equaliser from Morata in the second half. Photo: Uefa official webiste

80th minute: Morata scores the equaliser for Spain

Following a burst from just inside the Italy half, Spain break quickly and purposefully, with the substitute exchanging passes with Olmo. Morata takes a touch with his right foot before stroking a low left-footed strike into the corner, sending Donnarumma the wrong way.

15 minutes left in second half

60th minute: Chiesa gives Italy a lead a stunning goal on counter-attack

The move begins with Italy's goalkeeper Donnarumma rolling the ball out to Verratti. The sliding challenge of Laporte cuts off a brilliant Insigne pass intended for Immobile, but the 23-year-old Chiesa is quick to pounce and fire a calculated, curling attempt into the far corner from the left of the area.

53rd minute: Unai Simon makes a save. Italy has broken through the middle, but their progress is being monitored, so look for Chiesa on the right. He makes a couple of touches, attempting to cut into the area, but is denied a clear run at goal, so he delivers a low, right-footed shot into the arms of the Spain goalkeeper from an awkward angle.

HALF TIME: ITALY 0 | 0 SPAIN

FIRST HALF: ITALY 0 | 0 SPAIN

25th minute: Italy's Bonucci blocks a shot from Olmo, who make another effort but goal keeper Donnarumma makes a save.

15th minute: Spain is putting a lot of pressure right now. After a jinking run involving terrific close control that deceive Jorginho fires a low shot just wide of the post.

14th minute: At this stage of the game, Spain had grabbed possession of the midfield while Italy defending brilliantly

First half begins

The last four and their journey to semifinals
 
Spain vs Italy head to head
 
Spain have lost just two of their last 14 meetings against Italy and they still remember their quarterfinal win against Italy on way to the 2008 Uefa European Championship title, which truly marked their arrival as a top team and started a run of success which saw them win the 2010 World Cup and Euro 2012, where they thrashed Italy 4-0 in the final.
 
However, the current Italian side is very different from the ultra-defensive teams of the past, with Roberto Mancini building a team based on pace in attack and drive in midfield.
 
Know about Euro Cup 2021 today’s match and Italy vs Spain match time (IST), live telecast and streaming details here
 
Euro Cup 2021 today’s semifinal match

• Italy vs Spain

When Italy vs Spain match will begin according to India time?
 
The kick-off time for Italy vs Spain semifinal match is 12:30 am IST at Wembley Stadium, London on July 7.

How to watch the live telecast of Italy vs Spain match?
 
The live telecast of Italy vs Spain football match will take place on Sony Sports Channels. Sony TEN 3 with live broadcast the match in Hindi Commentary. SONY TEN 4 HD/SD will live broadcast the match in Tamil, Telugu and Bengali languages. Sony SIX HD/SD and Sony TEN 2 HD/SD with English commentary.
 
How to watch the live streaming of Italy vs Spain match?
 
Sony LIV app will live stream the Italy vs Spain football match.