UEFA Nations League

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Nations League | Semi-Finals

Jun 15, 2023 at 7.45pm UK

De Grolsch Veste

Spain
2 - 1
Italy

Pino (3'), Joselu (88')
Alba (45+1'), Gavi (57'), Morata (83')

FT(HT: 1-1)

Immobile (11' pen.)
Immobile (38'), Zaniolo (90+3')

Spain beat Italy to advance to UEFA Nations League final

By Matt Law, Football Editor

Published: June 15 2023 | 21:38

Last updated: June 15 2023 | 22:42

Spain beat Italy to advance to UEFA Nations League final

Spain book their spot in the final of the 2022-23 UEFA Nations League courtesy of a 2-1 victory over Italy, with Joselu netting a late winner for La Roja.

Spain have booked their spot in the final of the 2022-23 UEFA Nations League courtesy of a 2-1 victory over Italy in Thursday night's semi-final in the Netherlands.

Luis de la Fuente's side took the lead in the third minute through Yeremy Pino, before Ciro Immobile levelled the scores from the penalty spot in the 11th minute.

Spain won the contest in the latter stages of normal time, though, with Joselu coming off the bench to poke home, as La Roja edged an open and entertaining last-four contest.

Croatia will be Spain's opponent in the final in Rotterdam on Sunday, with Zlatko Dalic's side recording a 4-2 victory over the Netherlands in the competition's first semi-final.

Spain were also present in the final of the 2020-21 edition of the tournament, which took place in the latter stages of 2021, suffering a 2-1 loss to France.

Spain coach Luis de la Fuente on June 15, 2023 © Reuters

Spain took the lead in just the third minute of the contest, with Pino robbing Leonardo Bonucci of the ball just outside the Italy box before finding the bottom corner with a smart finish.

The response from Roberto Mancini's side was strong, though, and they were awarded a penalty in the 10th minute when Robin Le Normand was penalised for handball on his debut.

Immobile stepped up for Italy, and he sent Spain goalkeeper Unai Simon the wrong way to level the scores after an eventful opening 11 minutes.

Jesus Navas then fired one over the Italy crossbar in the 17th minute, before Davide Frattesi had a goal disallowed down the other end, with the midfielder just marginally offside following smart work from Jorginho.

Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma then made a smart save to keep out a strike from Alvaro Morata in the 27th minute, before the two individuals again locked horns in the 42nd minute, with Donnarumma once again coming out on top, denying the Spanish forward from inside the box.

Italy's Ciro Immobile celebrates scoring against Spain on June 15, 2023 © Reuters

The final chance of the first period fell to Italy, but Rafael Toloi's volley from distance just missed the Spain crossbar, with the two teams heading into the half-time break all square.

Spain started the second half brightly and came close to scoring a second in the 52nd minute through Mikel Merino, but Donnarumma saved the midfielder's volley, before Morata fired wide from the rebound.

Rodri then hooked one just over the Italy crossbar after a free kick from Jordi Alba had caused Donnarumma problems, before Simon made an excellent stop down the other end to keep out Frattesi, with the midfielder heavily involved for Mancini's side.

Federico Dimarco looked to pick out Nicolo Zaniolo with a brilliant cross from the left at the end of another smart Italian move, but Alba just about managed to beat the attacker to the ball.

Due to the open nature of the match, a late winner either way seemed a real possibility, and it came for Spain in the 88th minute, with Joselu, who is currently being heavily linked with a loan move to Real Madrid, managing to poke the ball past Donnarumma following a blocked shot from Rodri, with the goal sending Spain into the final of the competition.