Ah!zzuri

LONDON, July 7

Italy reached the Euro 2020 final after edging Spain 4-2 on penalties following a compelling 1-1 draw after extra-time on Tuesday, completing a remarkable revival after failing to qualify for the last World Cup.

Jorginho coolly rolled the decisive kick past Spain keeper Unai Simon in the semifinal at Wembley after Alvaro Morata had been thwarted by a fine save from Italy’s Gianluigi Donnarumma and Dani Olmo had blasted his effort over the bar.

Italy’s substitutes and coaching staff poured on to the pitch celebrate in front of their jubilant supporters behind the goal after Jorginho’s kick booked their place in Sunday’s final against either England or Denmark.

Roberto Mancini’s side took the lead on the hour through a sensational curler from Federico Chiesa to complete a sweeping counter-attack which began with keeper Donnarumma catching a Spain cross and rolling the ball out.

Morata, who had been dropped from the starting line-up after beginning all Spain’s previous games, equalised with 10 minutes left, calmly slotting into the bottom corner after bursting forward and exchanging a one-two with Olmo.

The goal was the latest twist in an eventful few weeks for Morata, who has been booed and even faced death threats from Spain supporters after a couple of poor showings, before redeeming himself with a crucial goal in the 5-3 win over Croatia. But his tournament ended in dismay as his tame spot kick allowed Jorginho to clinch the win for Italy, continuing their sensational run, having earned a clean sweep of victories in the group stage and knocked out top-ranked Belgium in the quarterfinals.

“Spain were great, they have star players but we fought until the end and we did it,” said Italy’s Chiesa. “When (Manuel) Locatelli missed the first penalty, everyone was calm saying we can do it and at the end our group helped us in the moment.” Mancini’s side are looking to win the European Championship for the first time since 1968 and secure their first major trophy since winning the 2006 World Cup.

Italy avenged their shootout defeat to Spain in the Euro 2008 quarterfinals and their resounding defeat in the Euro 2012 final, and completed a second straight European Championship victory over the Spaniards after their 2-0 win in the last-16 at Euro 2016. Spain coach Luis Enrique could take nothing away from his side. “They only wanted to get to penalties in extra-time but we could have played for half an hour more,” he said. — Reuters

2 wins Italy completed a second straight European Championship victory over the Spaniards after their 2-0 win in the last-16 at Euro 2016

5 Players Mancini’s side has five different players on two goals, becoming just the second team in Euros history to have as many after France in 2000

53 years Italy are looking to win the Euros for the first time since 1968 and secure their first major trophy since winning the 2006 World Cup

56 passes Spain’s Pedri completed all 56 of his passes in the 90 minutes of normal time at Wembley — only France’s Samuel Umtiti has ever completed more with 100% passing accuracy in a Euros match since 1980

There are games where you have to suffer. They can’t all be as smooth as our progress so far. We knew it would be a tough game. Almost no one believed we could do it, and yet we are into the final. We are pleased for Italians everywhere. — Roberto Mancini

It is not a sad night for me, not at all. Of course there is some disappointment but that is elite football. You have to learn to win and lose. We talked a lot about how we wanted to play, we believed in it and I can only congratulate them, I have no complaints. — Luis Enrique

Argentina’s custodian is talk of the town now

Rio de Janeiro: Argentina for once had a lesser-known player take centre stage from captain and star Lionel Messi.

Goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez saved three penalties in a shootout against Colombia — using some well-timed trash talk against his opponents — to put his team into Saturday’s Copa America final against Brazil.

The 28-year-old Martinez had never played for Argentina when Franco Armani, the team’s most frequent starting goalkeeper, tested positive for Covid on June 12. Armani had caught the virus for a second time — doctors believed he had recovered — but protocols meant he could not play.

Dibu, as his teammates know Martinez, started the tournament and never left Argentina’s starting line-up. The Aston Villa goalkeeper had his best performance against Colombia. AP