Italy 1 - 1 Spain (4-2 on pens) | Euro 2020, Semi Final | 06.07.21

Italy booked their place in the final of EURO 2020 with a 1-1 (4-2 on pens) win against Spain in a brilliant semi-final at Wembley. Mancini's side were second best for almost all of the encounter, reliant on Donnarumma's quick reflexes on several occasions before Chiesa scored the opener, only for Morata to equalise with 10 mins remaining in normal time. With neither side able to find a winner in the extended period, the exhilarating tie was settled on penalties. Jorginho, the hero, calmly dispatching the decisive spot-kick to take Italy into Sunday's showcase.

Perhaps contrary to pre-match forecasts, Spain started much the better side. After weathering an early, typical Italian storm, the Spaniards dominated the ball, orchestrating the play through their conductor, Busquets. Oyazarbal squandered an opportunity to open the scoring when he failed to control Pedri's incisive pass in the 12th minute before Donnarumma brilliantly saved Olmo's strike from close range.

Enrique's men coupled their attacking intent with an effective press, much like that seen by the Italians in the tournament thus far. Koke, Pedri and Olmo harried their opposite numbers to frustrate Italy's protagonists. More Spanish pressure followed after the break; Busquets went close before Oyarzabal stung the gloves of Donnarumma once more. Mancini's side were left to feed off countering attacking scraps, but on the hour, against the run of play, Chiesa expertly found the corner and the breakthrough for the Azzurri.

A significant appeal of this Italian side is its blend of modern attacking fervour with classic catenaccio, and just when their rearguard, Bonucci and Chiellini, looked set to shut out their opponents, Morata, just on from the bench, drew his side level. Olmo was the provider in what was a terrific display, unfortunately, stained by his shootout miss. For all Spain's pressure at the end of the ninety and the additional thirty, and despite a couple of goalmouth scrambles in the Italy box, no further goals came. Instead, only penalties could separate the sides. The Italians were ultimately justified in their pursuit of spot-kicks as Jorginho's decisive strike took the Azzurri into the final to face one of England or Denmark on Sunday.