While the primary semi-final between Croatia and the Netherlands was a rip-roaring, six-goal affair, Thursday’s conflict was a extra tetchy and, at occasions, scrappy match that required a contact of fortune to resolve.
La Roja loved the majority of the possession however heading in direction of additional time having didn't take their possibilities in opposition to a drained Azzurri aspect, which lastly relented late on as Joselu poached an 88th-minute winner.
Jordi Alba’s cross was cleared so far as Rodri, who drove a first-time volley again in direction of aim which took two deflections earlier than falling to Joselu. His fast considering made for a simple end however VAR was required to substantiate he was onside from the preliminary effort - and it did.
Luis de la Fuente’s aspect now face Croatia in Rotterdam on Sunday, leaving Italy to face the Dutch for a third-place play-off.
The Azzurri had been caught napping early on as Spain deployed their youthful vitality in chasing down the Azzurri’s aged defence. Leonardo Bonucci, 36, noticed the ball nicked off his toe by Yeremy Pino, 20, who rolled within the opener earlier than the clock had reached three minutes.
It took Roberto Mancini’s aspect a bit extra time to get up but they did so emphatically with a penalty gained by Nicolo Zaniolo’s stabbed cross that hit debutant Robin Le Normand’s arm, after a stunning dink into the field by Jorginho.
Ciro Immobile, having ousted Mateo Regetui up entrance on his return to the squad, stepped as much as calmly ship Unai Simon the incorrect approach after 11 minutes.
Italy thought they'd the lead when Davide Frattesi broke in off one other sensible Jorginho lob to fit dwelling - nonetheless VAR stopped the celebrations brief after recognizing his run was offside.
Spain ended the primary half step by step protecting increasingly more of the ball, serving to them to make a assured begin to the second half. Gianluigi Donnarumma produced a mammoth palm to disclaim Mikel Merino from point-blank vary earlier than Alvaro Morata span a shot vast from three yards out.
The goalkeeper was much less convincing moments later as a flap from a free kick allowed Rodri to strive his luck, however an acrobatic effort flashed over. On 63 minutes, it was Unai Simon’s flip to indicate off his reflexes with a pointy cease from Frattesi after a sloppy spell from Spain.
It regarded as if Spain’s dominance of possession can be for nothing but Joselu popped up on the loss of life to safe their second-straight Nations League last as they give the impression of being to raise the trophy for the primary time.
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