Jorginho and Gianluigi Donarumma were the heroes as, at the end of a fantastic match, Italy beat Spain 4-2 on penalties to reach the final of Euro 2020.
Spain had much the better of a throbbing first half, dominating possession and creating chances. But, yet again, the absence of a proper striker hampered them, with Mikel Oyarzabal and Dani Olmo both missing presentable chances.
Italy, though, were also dangerous on the odd occasion they could attack, and came close to scoring on the stroke of half-time when good play from Lorenzo Insigne allowed Emerson to fire a shot that clipped the top of the bar.
if anything, the pace intensified after half-time, again Spain settling it. But after 60 minutes, Chiesa curled home a beautiful finish at the end of a counter that looked likely to be the winner.
Spain, though, kept at it, and with 10 minutes remaining, Alvaro Morata, on as sub, played a gorgeous one-two with Dani Olmo to stroke home an expert’s finish.
Spain pushed hard for the winner in the closing stages, but Italy held firm to earn the game the additional thirty minutes it merited, ad in extra-time, the pattern continued.
Having found it hard to get on the ball when fresh, Italy struggled even harder when exhausted, looking far less threatening on the break. Spain, though, could not break them down and tired too, so to penalties we went.
Both countries missed their opening efforts but then Gianluigi Donnarumma saved Spain's fourth attempt from Morata, allowing Jorginho to slip home his. So Italy are into the final, and both Denmark and England know that it'll take a special performance to beat them.
Source: Eurosport