MATCH REPORT | Spain makes history against Italy (2-1) and will fight for the UEFA Nations League trophy on Sunday
The faith that Luis de la Fuente advocated before the match became a reality on Thursday on the pitch in Enschede, with a determination that was unwavering, achieving the historic milestone of reaching the final of the UEFA Nations League for the second consecutive time.
Spain defeated the four-time world champions by starting the match with a fast-paced and pressing match, with a completely revamped goal and defense compared to the last match against Scotland in Glasgow.
The intensity in stealing the ball in dangerous areas for the opponent quickly bore fruit, with Gavi recovering the ball from Bonucci's mistake and Yeremy Pino confidently finishing to give Spain the lead within four minutes.
The early goal motivated Mancini's team, who took advantage of a penalty due to a handball by debutant Le Normand to equalize through Immobile and caused anxiety with a second goal by Frattesi, which was later disallowed after VAR intervention.
The goals by Yeremy Pino in the early minutes and Joselu in the final stages sealed a great performance by the national team.
Morata had a good opportunity shortly after with Spain dominating possession against an Italy team relying on counterattacks, and both teams made substitutions at halftime, with Marco Asensio replacing Rodrigo Moreno for Spain.
After the break, Spain's attacks became more frequent, with the duo of Rodrigo Hernández (named the best player of the match) and Mikel Merino controlling the midfield.
The Navarrese player, along with Morata, came close to giving Spain the lead before the recently crowned Champions League winner executed an acrobatic shot, with the enthusiastic Spanish fans enjoying the moment in the stands.
Italy did not give up against the onslaught of Spanish football, and Frattesi tested Unai Simón with a counterattack, setting the stage for Joselu's decisive goal in the dying minutes.
Ultimately, it ended 2-1 in a memorable night that the national team dreams of sealing on Sunday in Rotterdam against Croatia, lifting a title fueled by hope, courage, talent, and team spirit. Sometimes faith paves the way and determines turning points.
DATA SHEET
Unai Simón, Jesús Navas, Le Normand, Laporte, Jordi Alba, Rodrigo Hernández, Mikel Merino (Fabián 74´) , Gavi (Canales 69´), Rodrigo Moreno (Marco Asensio 46´), Yeremy (Ansu Fati 75´) and Morata (Joselu 84´).
Coach: Luis de la Fuente
Donnarumma, Acerbi, Bonucci (Di Marco 46´), Toloi, Jorginho (Cristante 61´), Barella, Frattesi (Verratti 76´) , Di Lorenzo, Spinazzola (Darmian 46´), Zaniolo and Immobile (Chiesa 60´).
Coach: Roberto Mancini
1-0 | (4´) | Yeremy Pino scores against Donnarumma after a steal by Gavi under pressure.
1-1 | (11´) | Immobile converts a penalty awarded for Le Normand's handball.
2-1 | (88´) | Joselu delicately beats Donnarumma with a touch after Rodrigo's shot rebounded.
Slavko Vinčić (Slovenia): Showed a yellow card to Jordi Alba (45´), Gavi (57´), and Morata (83´) for Spain, and to Immobile (39´) and Zaniolo (93´) for Italy.
Assistant Referees: Tomaž Klančnik and Andraž Kovačič (Slovenia)
Fourth Official: Irfan Peljto (Bosnia and Herzegovina)
VAR: Nejc Kajtazovic (Slovenia)
AVAR: Matej Jug (Slovenia)
UEFA Nations League 2023 Semi-final
FC Twente Stadium (Enschede, Netherlands).