Mancini expected Spain to be the toughest test
Italy coach Roberto Mancini knew Spain would provide the toughest challenge at Euro 2020 and he believes his team deserve credit for reaching the final.
Three years after Italy watched the World Cup from home, missing out on that global showcase for the first time in 60 years, the Azzurri have made a redemptive run back to a major tournament final.
Goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma stepped up in the shootout, Jorginho calmly rolled in the clinching shot, and Italy defeated Spain, 4-2 on penalties after a 1-1 draw, in the European Championship semifinals.
After Spain dominated possession in the first half, Federico Chiesa scored on a counterattack to give Italy the lead in the 60th minute. But Álvaro Morata came off the bench to equalize for Spain in the 80th, and neither team found the breakthrough over 30 minutes of extra time.
After the shootout opened with goalkeeper Unai Simón denying Italy’s Manuel Locatelli and Spain’s Dani Olmo skying his effort over the goal, both teams’ shooters were on target until Donnarumma lunged to his left to deny Morata in the fourth round.
That set the stage for Jorginho, a Champions League winner with Chelsea this past season; he caught Simón leaning to his left and coolly tucked his penalty in the opposite corner to set off the Italian celebration.
Italy 1-1 Spain (AET) | 4-2 on Penalties
Chiesa (60), Morata (80)
