Italy reached Euro 2020 final in a gripping semi-final, beating Spain through a penalty shootout on Tuesday, July 6.
Italy earned a lead on the hour thanks to the curled effort of Federico Chiesa. Substitute Alvaro Morata then finished it off with an increasing passing move, drawing Spain level within the remaining 20 minutes of regulation time.
Neither Spain nor Italy could find the winning goal in extra time, so the tie went to penalties. With Alvaro Morata’s penalty saved, Jorginho scored the conclusive penalty kick to d set up Italy to a final match with either Denmark or England, whichever team wins in their match on Wednesday. Never in Spain’s history that they lost in the semi-finals, making this the first time.
This is a remarkable year for Italy, which never even qualified for the World Cup in 2018. This was thanks to head coach Roberto Mancini presiding over the team to get Euro 2020 underway by defeating Turkey in a 3-0 win on June 11. Italy showed impressive performances that made the team a surprise contender for the Henri Delaunay Trophy.
With their win in the semi-finals, Italy is now one match away to win the second European Championship the country would have since 1968. Whether it is England or Denmark that Italy faces in the Euro 2020 final on Sunday, no one can argue that they are the tournaments best team. There surely wont be a lot who will bet against Roberto Mancini’s Italy.