Spain vs Italy. UEFA Nations League Semi Final.
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Report as substitute Joselu's last-gasp strike secured Spain a 2-1 victory to set up a Nations League final against Croatia on Sunday (kick-off 7.45pm); Italy will face Netherlands in a third-place play-off, also on Sunday (kick-off 2pm)
Friday 16 June 2023 06:18, UK
Substitute Joselu's last-gasp strike secured Spain a 2-1 victory as they set up a Nations League final against Croatia.
Yeremy Pino's early strike (3) gave Luis de la Fuente's side the advantage but Italy responded through Ciro Immobile's penalty (11) after Nicolo Zaniolo's volley struck the arm of Robin Le Normand.
In what was an end-to-end game, Davide Frattesi's goal was ruled out by VAR for offside midway through the first-half as the two sides went into the break level.
The quality dipped after the break as both sets of players fatigued. Alvaro Morata sent a low shot wide from the edge of the six-yard box before Man City midfielder Rodri's acrobatic effort flew just over the crossbar as Spain looked the most likely to snatch a victory.
However, Unai Simon produced a brilliant reaction stop to deny Frattesi as extra-time loomed before Joselu popped up two minutes from time to steer Rodri's deflected effort into the back of the net to send Spain into the final.
They will now face Croatia, who beat Netherlands 4-2 after extra-time on Wednesday evening, in the final in Rotterdam on Sunday (kick-off 7.45pm, while Italy will face the Dutch in the third-place play-off, also on Sunday (kick-off 2pm).
In a frantic start Italy were punished for some sloppy passing out from the back as Pino nicked possession from Leonardo Bonucci before firing past Gianluigi Donnarumma into the far corner to give Spain an early lead.
However, it didn't last long as Italy struck back immediately. Jorginho's inch-perfect pass picked out Zaniolo in the penalty area, and the Galatasaray winger's volley struck the hand of Le Normand.
Referee Slavko Vincic took his time before correctly pointing to the spot before Immobile tucked away the penalty to bring Italy level.
The frantic nature of the game continued as both sides struggled to get control, but it was Italy who thought they had taken the advantage when Frattesi latched onto another superb through ball from Jorginho before finishing past goalkeeper Simon. However, VAR intervened with the Sassuolo midfielder just failing to time his run.
Both sides continued to create chances right up until the half-time whistle as Donnarumma twice denied Alvaro Morata, while Rafael Toloi's strike from 30 yards whistled inches over the crossbar.
After the break, Spain were the side who came out on the front foot as Donnarumma denied substitute Marco Asensio from close range before Morata sent the rebound wide.
Rodri's hooked effort was inches away as Spain pressed to regain the lead, while Simon has to be at his best to deny Frattesi from eight yards in what was Italy's best chance of the second-half.
Extra-time looked inevitable as both teams started to run out of ideas and energy as they looked for a a winner, but Rodri's shot bounced off two defenders and fell kindly for Joselu, who poked home from four yards to spark the Spanish celebrations.
Spain will play Croatia in Sunday's Nations League final at Stadion Feijenoord, Rotterdam. Kick-off 7.45pm.
Italy face Netherlands in a third-place play-off on Sunday at the FC Twente Stadion, Enschede. Kick-off 2pm.
