Posted by Spain beat Italy in an entertaining match at the San Siro to reach the Nations League final, ending Italy’s world-record 37-game unbeaten run. Spain gained some vengeance for their Euro 2020 semi-final penalty shootout loss to eventual victors Italy at Wembley in Uefa’s secondary tournament.
Ferran Torres of Manchester City scored two goals from two Mikel Oyarzabal crosses in Milan to take Luis Enrique’s side to the final against either Belgium or France on Sunday. When captain Leonardo Bonucci was sent out for two bookings, the second for an elbow on Sergio Busquets, Italy was already second best and 1-0 down.
They appeared doomed until Lorenzo Pellegrini’s late goal, which came after a fantastic Federico Chiesa counter-attack, but they couldn’t find an undeserved equaliser. Gavi, a 17-year-old Barcelona midfielder, 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.
Source: BBC Sport