Xtra Time Web Desk: Gianluigi Donnarumma turned hero for his side as Italy beat Spain 4-2 on penalties to book a place in the final of EURO 2020 at the Wembley stadium on Tuesday. Donnarumma dived toward his left to save a shot from Alvaro Morata as Jorginho scored the winning goal for the Azzurris to spark wild celebrations in the stands. The score sheet at the end of the regulation time read 1-1 with Federico Chiesa giving Italy the lead in the 60th minute while substitute Alvaro Morata scoring the equalizer for Spain in the 80th minute. Roberto Mancini’s side will now take on the winners of England and Denmark in the final at Wembley on Sunday.
The match reached great heights with both sides displaying terrific skills on the park. It was the Italians who started on a positive not with Nicolo Borella’s shot hitting the post only to be signaled off side. Spain also had a great chance to take the lead in the 12th minute but Oyarzabal failed to connect.
The Italians took the lead in the 60th minute from a counter attack. The move began with Donnarumma rolling the ball out to Verratti. Laporte managed to cut off a pass from Insigne intended for Ciro Immobile. Federico Chiesa kept his calm and scored with a curling right footer that kept Unai Simon looking helplessly.
Spain scored the equalizer through substitute Alvaro Morata in the 80th minute. Following a burst from just inside the Italian half, Spain broke quickly, with the substitute Morata exchanging passes with Olmo before the former firing a low left-footed strike into the corner.
In the tie-breaker Unai Simon saved the first shot from Manuel Locatelli. Dani Olmo, who was a livewire for Spain in the midfield, shot it over. Nicolo Belotti scored with a powerful shot to the right corner. Spain drew parity with Gerard Morena scoring. Leo Bonucci gave the Italians the lead with a deft shot, sending Simon at the wrong end. Thiago Alcantara equalized for Spain to see the scoreline 2-2. Italians took the lead back through Federico Bernardeschi. Alvaro Morata’s shot was saved by Donnarumma as he judged rightly diving towards his left. Jorginho made no mistake from scoring the final penalty to take Italy through to the final.
Roberto Mancini’s side is now unbeaten for 33 games and would hope to extend it come Sunday when his side take on the winners of England and Denmark at Wembley.