Munich: Italy continued its high-flying status under Roberto Mancini as first-half goals from Nicole Barella and Lorenzo Insigne led the Azurris to set up a Euro 2020 semifinal date with Spain on Saturday. In the other quarterfinal, Spain broke spirited Swiss hearts with a 3-1 victory on penalties.
Italy started strongly after Leonardo Bonucci found the net on 13 minutes which was deemed off-side. Barella netted home the opener at the 31st minute after ‘keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma denied Kevin De Brunye of an amazing goal.
Insigne doubled the Italian lead with a magnificent curler on 44 minutes – Italy’s 11th goal in the tournament, their most in any edition. Romelu Lukaku pulled one back in the very next minute via a spot-kick.
The second half did not see any goals. Leonardo Spinazzola’s goalline clearance denied Belgium of an equalizer but the defender’s night ended on a bad note after being carried out in a stretcher injuring his Achilles tendon. It was learnt that Spinazzola will be out for the rest of the tournament causing a major gap in Italy’s defense.
“We deserved to win. The boys were extraordinary in the game,” Mancini said. “The players produced an excellent performance. We only suffered in the last 10 minutes and that was because we were really tired, we had given a lot. But we could have scored even more goals. We’ll enjoy this win before we think about Spain. I congratulate my lads, who were superb. I was sure we were going to play really well.”
Elsewhere at Krestovsky Stadium, Luis Enrique’s Spain edged past a 10-man Switzerland on penalties after a 1-1 draw at the end of 90 minutes. The tie was entirely a contest between the two goalkeepers showcasing their individual signs of brilliance.
Choosing an inexperienced Unai Simon over Manchester United fame David de Gea brought a lot of criticism against Enrique. However, the 24-year-old Atletico Bilbao star’s show against Switzerland shut all criticisms keeping his coach’s faith.
Spain got an early lead from a Daniel Zakaria howler at the eighth minute that was cancelled out by Xherdan Shaqiri in the 68th minute. Swiss keeper Yann Sommer, who had a brilliant tournament under the bar, once again rose to the occasion as he saved atleast 10 Spanish shots to to keep Switzerland in the game.
Switzerland were down to 10 men when Remo Freuler got a second yellow card in the 77th minute. The tie went to penalties and Spain triumphed after Ruben Vargas sent his shot over the bar. Spain will face Italy at Wembley on Tuesday to book their place in the final.
