Italy reached the Euro 2020 final by defeating Spain 4-2 in a dramatic penalty shoot-outs after drawing 1-1 in regulation time.
Tuesday’s encounter was the first meeting between both sides in a major tournament since 2012 which saw a Vincete del Bosque side destroy the Azurri 4-0 to clinch their third European championship title.
Chelsea midfielder Jorginho scored the decisive penalty to send Italy into the final after Manuel Locatelli and Spain striker Dani Olmo missed the first spot kick for their sides.
The Azzuris will now be hoping to land a first continental title since 1968. They will face either England or Denmark in Sunday’s final which would be staged at the Wembley stadium.
Meanwhile, The Heritage Times brings you three major talking points from the keenly contested match…
The Chiesa’s makes Wembley their home
Juventus star Federico Chiesa followed in the footsteps of his father, Enrico after he broke the deadlock for Italy against Austria at Wembley in the last 16.
The pair became the first father and son to both score at the Euros.
Taking a trip down the memory lane, Enrico’s Euros strike had also come in England – at Anfield against the Czech Republic during Euro 96.
Although, the tournament ended badly for the Azzurri as they still lost that game to the Czechs, and went out in the group stage.
Pedri will dominate decade
Pedri broke Wayne Rooney’s record as the youngest player to start a knockout game at the Euros when he appeared against Croatia last week.
Rooney played in the quarter-finals against Portugal back in 2004 at 18 years and 244 days of age.
So far at the tournament, the Barcelona teenage sensation has started in all of Spain’s matches. But, was unable to register a goal at the championship or help Spain to the final.
However, it looks certain that the starlet would be one of the best midfielders in the world over the next decade.
Gianluigi Donnarumma – Italy’s hero
The 22-year-old has been hailed as Italy’s next great shot-stopper for some time now – and on the night, he claimed his first huge moment with the Azzurri by denying Alvaro Morata’s effort in the penalty shoot-out to send Italy into the final of Euro 2020.
Among other spectacular performances, the goalkeeper saved Dani Olmo’s strike early in the game too.
Morata has endured a stuttering Euro campaign which has seen his family come under serious threats from fans.
The Juventus star was dropped for the game, but he seemingly redeemed himself by coming on to net Spain’s equaliser.
