The Italian national team will be spain’s opponent in the semi-finals of the European Championship after winning this Friday at the Allianz Arena in Munich (Germany) to belgium by 1-2 in a quarterfinal match resolved in the first half.
A goal from Nicolo Barella in the 31rd minute, 18 after a goal was cancelled out by Leonardo Bonucci’s offside; and another from Lorenzo Insigne in the 44th reflected Italy’s superiority in the first half, although in the added time of the first act Romelu Lukaku eased Belgium’s situation from the penalty spot and made it 1-2.
1-0 italy vs Belgium.
2-0 italy vs Belgium.
2-1 of Italy vs Belgium.
Videos via Twitter: @DIRECTVSports
In the second half the forces were balanced, but neither team was able to score again.
Spain and Italy will meet in the first semi-final on Tuesday, July 6 at London’s Wembley Stadium.
Spain triumphs over Switzerland
Spain reached the semi-finals of Euro 2020 after prevailing 3-1 in a nervous penalty shootout against tenacious Switzerland, who played ten men from midway through the second half for an ejection but held on to a 1-1 draw after extra time.
Mikel Oyarzabal scored the decisive penalty after Gerard Moreno and Dani Olmo converted for Spain and Sergio Busquets and Rodri wasted their shots.
Spanish goalkeeper Unai Simon held off the shots of Swiss Manuel Akanji and Fabian Schar, while Ruben Vargas finished over the bar for the Swiss.
In regulation time, Spain took the lead in the 8th minute when a Jordi Alba shot from outside the area was deflected into the net by Denis Zakaria, but Xherdan Shaqiri took advantage of a defensive error from the Spanish backline to tie the score 1-1 at 68.
Soon after, in the 77th minute, Switzerland lost midfielder Remo Freuler by a red card, which put the game uphill for the Swiss, who were playing better at the time.
With a numerical advantage, Spain dominated extra time and created a series of chances against a Switzerland waiting for penalties, perhaps aware that their rivals had missed their last five shots, including two against them in a Nations League match in November.
But after beating France 5-4 on penalties in the knockout stages, scoring all his shots, only Mario Gavranovic could beat Simon.
“Football has been fair, we are just winners. You have to erase the mistakes quickly but also reset these successes because a very difficult opponent is coming, whoever it is,” said Spanish goalkeeper Simon after the game.
“I said from the beginning that we were one of the eight teams that opted (to win the tournament), without exaggeration. Now we are one of the best four, “said the coach of the “Roja”, Luis Enrique.
