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Preview: Italy and Spain meet in a blockbuster first semi-final at Euro 2020 before an expected crowd of 60,000 at Wembley on Tuesday as anticipation builds ahead of host nation England’s last-four tie against Denmark. Tuesday’s game is the latest episode in a burgeoning rivalry between Italy and Spain with the nations meeting in a fourth consecutive European Championship. Spain won on penalties in the quarter-finals in Vienna in 2008 on their way to winning the trophy and then thrashed Italy 4-0 in the final in Kiev four years later. Italy gained a measure of revenge by winning 2-0 in the last 16 at Euro 2016 and the Azzurri appear the favourites this time as they arrive at Wembley having knocked out Belgium in the quarter-finals to stretch their unbeaten run to a remarkable 32 games. “We know that if we play the way we have in the last 30 matches or so then we can come away with a good result,” said Italy’s defensive stalwart Leonardo Bonucci on Monday. While Italy – whose only European Championship title came in 1968 – have been the standout team at the tournament so far, Spain have overcome a difficult start to reach the last four as they target a record fourth continental crown. Luis Enrique’s team beat Croatia 5-3 in extra time in the first knockout round before edging Switzerland on penalties in the last eight. “We simply need to be motivated by the fact we are coming up against such a great and prestigious side in such a wonderful arena as Wembley, in the knowledge that we could be involved in the final in just a few days’ time,” added Bonucci. Both Italy coach Roberto Mancini and Luis Enrique expressed regret that supporters of the two semi-finalists will not be able to travel to attend the game in London. Lack of travelling fans ‘unfair’ More than 60,000 spectators will be allowed inside the 90,000-capacity Wembley after the British government eased the coronavirus restrictions that have been in place during the tournament. According to the Italian FA an estimated 11,000 Italian fans are expected in the stands as well as 9,000 Spanish spectators. These will be supporters based in Britain, as fans have not been permitted to travel from either country just for the match, without quarantining first, something which has been a common occurrence at this pandemic-affected tournament. “It is a strange situation. I hope that there are Spanish and Italians more than English fans, but they are things we cannot control,” Luis Enrique said. “I am not going to waste any energy on it. We wish it was different but we accept it.” Italy and Spain both enjoyed the support of their own fans when playing group games at home, in Rome and Seville respectively, and Mancini called the situation in London “unfair”. “It is pretty unfair if I’m perfectly honest, very unfair indeed,” said the former Manchester City manager. Italy are without stricken full-back Leonardo Spinazzola, one of the outstanding players of the tournament, who on Monday underwent surgery on the torn Achilles tendon he suffered against Belgium in Munich. With inputs from AFP
Highlights, Italy vs Spain Euro 2020 semi-final at London: Italy beat Spain in shootout to enter final
Catch the Live score and updates from Italy vs Spain Euro 2020 semi-final at London’s Wembley Stadium
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That’s all we have for tonight. Hope you have enjoyed our coverage of this sensational semi-final. What a turnaround by Roberto Mancini who took charge of this Italian side after they touched the depths in 2018, failing to qualify for the World Cup. Now, they are one step away from the European glory. Spanish players gave it all but they should’ve done better when it came to converting their chances.
Next up is England vs Denmark and we hope you join us for another cracking match. Thank you!
Powerhouse
Italy have now reached their tenth major tournament final (World Cup/EUROs). Only Germany (14) have participated in more amongst European nations.
Ice Man!
ITA 1-1 ESP (4-2 in penalties)
Jorginho, who takes penalties for his club Chelsea, was ice cool under pressure. He sent the goalkeeper the other away and calmly slotted the ball into the net to spark wild celebrations.
Not to forget the crucial save from Donnarumma to deny Morata.
Spain were the better team tonight but it didn’t work out for them in penalties. It was a brilliant game of football between two high quality teams.
Penalties
ITA 4-2 ESP
Jorginho scores! Italy are into the final!!
WOW!
Penalties
ITA 3-2 ESP
Morata’s kick is saved!!
Penalties
ITA 3-2 ESP
Bernardeschi hits the top-right. Good hit.
Penalties
ITA 2-2 ESP
Nice one from Thiago. Sends the goalkeeper the other way and rolls the ball into the net.
Penalties
ITA 2-1 ESP
Bonucci scores. Advantage Italy.
Penalties
ITA 1-1 ESP
Moreno finds the net for Spain. It’s all square.
Penalties
ITA 1-0 ESP
Belotti converts for Italy.
Penalties
ITA 0-0 ESP
Dani Olmo misses his kick too. The ball flies over the goal.
Penalties
ITA 0-0 ESP
Unai Simon saves Locatelli’s kick.
Italy 1-1 Spain
The players from both teams gave their everything. It became tough to find a winner after the match went to the extra-time. Spain were better but Italy held on. It’s time for either of the goalkeepers to become a hero for their teams.
Italy 1-1 Spain
That’s it! No goals in the extra-time so we are going to witness the penalties.
115’ Italy 1-1 Spain
This has become a scrappy affair. Both teams looking tired and they can’t be blamed. It has been a hell of a game.
110’ Italy 1-1 Spain
The ball is inside the net. Is it a goal? No says the linesman. Beradi with a good take and finish but he’s clearly offside.
108’ Italy 1-1 Spain
Looks like Eric Garcia has injured himself. He’s going off and Pau Torres has come in
106’ Italy 1-1 Spain
The second half of extra time begins. Changes for both the teams. Skipper Busquets gives way for Thiago. Bernardeschi comes on for Chiesa.
Italy 1-1 Spain
The first period of extra-time is done.Spain playing a better game at the Wembley.
112’ Italy 1-1 Spain
Close! Moreno with a superb cross from the right. Morate jumps but Donnarumma punches the ball away. It falls to Llorente whose shot is blocked by Chiellini.
100’ Italy 1-1 Spain
Olmo with a clever low freekick from the right. Donnarumma saves the shot but the ball falls to Morata whose shot is blocked again by the Italian goalkeeper. Somehow, Italy clear the danger away.
98’ Italy 1-1 Spain
Yellow card for Italy’s Toloi for a cynical challenge on Olmo.
95’ Italy 1-1 Spain
Slow start after the break. Spain passing the ball among themselves without any intent.
Can they find a winner?
91’ Italy 1-1 Spain
Right then. Time for extra-time to play out at Wembley.
Italy 1-1 Spain
The referee blows the whistle just as Spain starts an attack. Spanish players are not happy but we will have 30 minutes of extra-time.
90’ Italy 1-1 Spain
Three minutes of added time.
88’ Italy 1-1 Spain
Changes for Italy. Locatelli and Belotti come on for Insigne and Barella. For Spain, Azpilicueta makes way for Llorente.
85’ Italy 1-1 Spain
Just seconds after Berardi missing his chance, Spain are level. They break with Morota exchanging passes with Olmo following a burst from just inside the Italy half. The forward takes a touch with his right before coolly coming up with a left-footed strike low into the corner, sending Italian goalkeeper the wrong way.
80’ Italy 1-1 Spain
GOAL! Morata scores for Spain and it’s game on!
Top-class!
75’ Italy 1-0 Spain
More changes. Oyarzabal makes way for Moreno and Koke is out and is replaced by Rodri. For Italy, Emerson is replaced by Rafael Toloi and Pessina comes in for Verratti.
67’ Italy 1-0 Spain
Almost an equaliser for Spain! Koke’s ball over the Italian back line almost works, but Oyarzabal cannot generate enough power on his header and the ball sails out.
Meanwhile Italy replace Immobile with Beradi. Ferran Torres is off with Morata coming in.
64’ Italy 1-0 Spain
Italy have the breakthrough thanks to a top-class finish from Cheisa! Donnarumma starts the move by rolling the ball out for Verratti. An Insigne pass meant for Immobile is cut out by the challenge of Laporte, but Chiesa is quick to pounce on it and curls into the far corner.
60’ Italy 1-0 Spain
GOAAAL! Chiesa breaks the deadlock. A lovely finish to give Italy the lead in the game!
55’ Italy 0-0 Spain
Italy burst through the middle, the ball finds Chiesa out on the right. He takes a couple of touches, and then hits a low, right-footed drive from a tricky angle but Spain goalkeeper makes the save.
52’ Italy 0-0 Spain
Chance for Busquets! Azpilicueta wins the ball down the right and Oyarzabal bursts into the area before passing it to his skipper on the edge of the box, who sends his right-footed effort narrowly over the bar.
51’ Italy 0-0 Spain
Before the yellow card to Busquets, Olmo crosses from the right with Torres in the centre. But Italy’s Di Lorenzo does well to clear the danger away.
50’ Italy 0-0 Spain
Spain captain Sergio Busquets is shown yellow card by the referee for challenge on Immobile.