Italy’s world-record 37-game unbeaten run came to an end at the San Siro last night. Spain avenged their Euro 2020 semi-final defeat with a 2-1 win in the Nation’s League.
Manchester City’s Ferran Torres scored Spain’s goals from two Mikel Oyarzabal crosses. Luis Enrique’s side head to Sunday’s Nation League‘s final against either Belgium or France.
Bonucci sent off
At 1-0 down, captain Leonardo Bonucci was sent off for two bookings. The second for an elbow on Sergio Busquets.
Italy was second-best throughout the match. Lorenzo Pellegrini’s late goal, after a wonderful Federico Chiesa run on a counter-attack, was their shining moment.
Roberto Mancini brought on veteran defender Giorgio Chiellini for attacker Federico Bernardeschi at half-time. It was more of a damage limitation exercise as the hosts struggled with only 10 men.
The homeside only had one shot in the second half – when Chiesa ran from his own half and unselfishly squared for substitute Pellegrini.
Italy’s goalkeeper affected by crowd
Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma was booed throughout by his own fans. Named the Best Player at Euro 2020, he left the AC Milan, who play at San Siro, for Paris St-Germain in the summer.
It did seem to affect him at times. Just after the opening goal he fumbled Marcos Alonso’s volley on to the post. Italy manager, Roberto Mancini was far from impressed with the fans’ behaviour.
“Italy were playing and it was not a club match. They could have put this situation aside for one night and whistle when it comes to a PSG-Milan game. Italy is Italy, and comes above everything else,” he said.
Mancini’s side will face the loser’s of tonight’s game between Belgium and France. Their third-place play-off will take place at the same venue on Sunday afternoon.
