Spain took Italy, the favorites to win the entire competition, all the way to a penalty shootout, but fell just short with the Azzurri winning 4-2 on penalties.
Worries about an empty or quiet crowd overcrowded the build up to the game, but they proved unfounded despite tickets still being on sale throughout the day, and with fans unable to fly from either country due to quarantine rules. Both sets of fans, the largest crowd seen at a Euro game this year, were in full voice for much of the game, adding a much needed atmosphere to Wembley.
Frederico Chiesa opened the scoring with a delightful curled shot in the 60th minute, thinking he’d done enough to secure the victory, however Spain’s Alvaro Morata dampened those hopes with an equalizer with 10 minutes remaining to force extra time and the eventual shootout.
It has been a rough tournament for Morata, whose many wasted chances saw ‘fans’ send death threats to him and his family. To add to his worries and woes his penalty was saved by Gianluigi Donnarumma just before Chelsea’s Jorginho slotted home the winning penalty immediately after.
The win continues Italy’s unbeaten run to 33 games and booking them a place in the final.
They will play the winners of tomorrow’s game between Denmark and England, with Wembley playing host once more on Sunday, July 11th at 3pm ET.
Artistry of Sport 
Leave a Reply