Ending Italy’s world-record 37-game unbeaten run in an entertaining football match at the San Siro Spain beat Italy to reach the Nations League final. Spain gained some retribution for their Euro 2020 semi-final penalty shootout loss to eventual champions Italy at Wembley, albeit in Uefa’s secondary tournament. La Roja end Azzurri’s record run to book Nations League final spot.
To take Luis Enrique’s side to the final against either Belgium or France on Sunday Ferran Torres from Manchester City scored two goals from two Mikel Oyarzabal crosses in Milan. Italy was already second best and 1-0 down when captain Leonardo Bonucci was sent out for two bookings, the second for an elbow on Sergio Busquets.
They appeared doomed until Lorenzo Insigne’s late strike, which came after a fantastic Federico Chiesa counter-attack, but they couldn’t find an undeserved equaliser. Barcelona midfielder Gavi, 17, made his international debut for Spain, making him the youngest player in the country’s history – less than six weeks after making his club debut – and he seemed at ease on the big stage.
Although the Nations League is a relatively young tournament, it was contested with the talent and intensity of any World Cup or European Championship match when both teams had 11 players. It’s also the first time Italy has lost a competitive match in their own country since 1999. Check out the football highlights of the match as Spain beat Italy with two goals over one.
Italy – Spain 1 – 2
Goals: 0 – 1 Torres 17, 0 – 2 Torres 45+2, 1 – 2 Pellegrini 83
Bookings: Locatelli; Azpilicueta, Sarabia, Pino, Oyarzabal
Sent off: Bonucci
Italy: Donnarumma; Di Lorenzo, Bonucci, Bastoni, Emerson; Barella, Jorginho, Verratti; Chiesa, Bernardeschi, Insigne
Substitutions: Chiellini, Kean, Locatelli, Pellegrini, Calabria
Spain: Unai Simon; Azpilicueta, Laporte, Pau Torres, Marcos Alonso; Koke, Busquets, Gavi; Ferran Torres, Sarabia, Oyarzabal
Substitutions: Pino, Merino, Gil, Sergi Roberto
