Drama In Wembley As Italy Knock Out Spain To Reach Euro Finals

The epic rivalry between Spain and Italy in the semi-finals of the Euro 2020 has ended in favour of Italy.

Italy beat Spain  4-2  on penalties to reduce their marginal head to head loss against the Italians.

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Italy will meet either England or Denmark in the finals at Wembley Stadium in London.

Both Italy and Spain were among the tournament’s favourites, but Italy emerged winners at the end of the game.

Spain have won 12, drawn 12 and lost ten of their matches against the Italians.

Before the game, Italy were unbeaten in their last 32 games.

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Spain were in control of the midfield most of the first half with lots of chances created but Roberto Mancini’s men were always alert to surprise Luis Enriques’s side with a counterattack.

Spain’s Oyarzabal wrongly timed a pass from Pedri which would have changed the game score.

Enriques’s side dominated the first half 61 per cent, but yet no goal to celebrate.

Just before the halftime whistle,  Emerson, facing a tight angle, aimed for the top left, but the ball hit the top bar and it was a goal kick.

Busquets got the first booking of the match after a challenge on  Immobile in the 51 minute of the game.

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Spain’s Daniel Olmo rolled the ball to Busquets who took a first-time shot towards the top-right corner just over the post. Italy’s keeper, Gianluigi Donnarumma, was also alert to the strike.

Sergio Busquets was not just in the game for his side, he was daring and controlling the midfield in the Spanish style of dominance.

But a 60th minute counter attack by Italy changed the atmosphere of the game.

Federico Chiesa curved the ball into the top corner to secure a goal for Italy.

Several attempts from Spain failed, but the Italians were always ready to reciprocate with a counter attack.

But Spain found a goal in their time of desperate need as a pass from Olmo was converted by Alvaro Morata.

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A controvercial handball was ignored by German referee, Felix Brych, after Chiellini fell to intercept and the ball brushed his hand as he cleared.

Spain were fantastic in the game and their display made them favorites to win the duel, 90 minutes was not enough to give them the needed win.

The extra time started with another Spanish dominance, but the Italian defence was not so easy to break.

Italy were severely under pressure as Spain became too offensive in their search for a goal.

But Italy almost secured a late winner at the 20th minute of the extra time,  however the goal was flagged offside.

Enrique’s men continued to boss the game till the end of the extra time and it became clear that the winner would emerge after the penalties.

No side has ever won two penalty shootouts at the Euro and history repeated itself against Spain to crown Italy victorious.

PHOTOS:

Italy’s goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma saves a shot by Spain’s Dani Olmo. Photograph: Laurence Griffiths/AP
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