Wembley Stadium was the place where Italy played against Spain at the Euro 2020 semifinal this evening. We got the player ratings.
The day finally came for the Spain vs Italy semifinal match at Wembley Stadium for this year’s Euro 2020. Luis Enrique made some fundamental modifications in an attempt to surprise Roberto Mancini’s tactical approach. He left Alvaro Morata out of the starting squad in order to give Mikel Oyarzabal his chance to shine. Ferran Torres and Dani Olmo played as wingers next to the Real Sociedad striker. Italy played with their usual starting eleven with the exception of injured Spinazzola, whose place was taken by Federico Chiesa.
During the initial half-hour of the game, Spain had several chances to score at least a couple of goals. But Oyarzabal made some incredible rookie mistakes that should’ve taken him off the pitch at halftime. After the first 30 minutes, the Italians got more used to Spain’s quick pace and ball control. They held until the second half and got a reward fifteen minutes after the break. Federico Chiesa finished a brilliant counterattack that Donnarumma started on his own box.
Morata makes the difference for Spain.
Mikel Oyarzabal still had some important chances to score the equalizer but he missed at least another clear shot. Luis Enrique gave him the chance but he wasn’t able to capitalize on it, he left the pitch with 20 minutes still on the clock. After leaving the pitch, things completely changed for Spain. Alvaro Morata was the one who scored the equalizer with only 10 minutes left on the clock.
That was more than enough to take this match into extra time. Spain was more dangerous during this time but Italy defended well, they obviously wanted to take the match to a penalty shootout. When the shootout came, the two first takers missed their shot. Alvaro Morata was the man who missed his chance with a poorly taken shot. In the end, Jorginho was the one who scored the winner for Italy’s ticket to the Euro 2020 final. Spain played a great semifinal match but Italy was always the favorite.
Player ratings
Italy: Donnarumma (7), Bonucci (7), Chiellini (6), Emerson (6), Di Lorenzo (6), Verratti (7), Jorginho (6), Barella (6), Immobile (5), Chiesa (7), Insigne (6).
Bench: Berardi (6), Pessina (6), Toloi (6), Belotti (6), Locatelli (6), Bernardeschi (6).
Spain: Simon (7), Alba (7), Laporte (7), Garcia (7), Azpilicueta (7), Busquets (7), Koke (6), Pedri (7), Olmo (7), Torres (7), Oyarzábal (3).
Bench: Morata (7), Moreno (7), Rodri (7), Llorente (6), Thiago (7), P. Torres (6).
Feel free to make your pick on player’s ratings and performances in the widget below.