After a tense and exciting quarterfinals both of these sides progress to face one another on neutral ground in England as the game takes place in Wembley.
Italy came through a tough and intense game against Belgium but came through in normal time in a 2-1 win to keep their unbeaten run in this tournament going in which they have won every single game.
Spain had a tougher test against a Switzerland side who pulled off the shock of the tournament by knocking out France. They took the Spanish side all the way to penalties, but they couldn’t capitalise for the second time and lost 3-1 on penalties after 1-1 in normal and extra time.
In their last five previous meetings, Spain have W2, L1, D2 where they have scored six and conceded just four goals between 2014 and 2017.
Italy are 2/50 to win the game and Spain are 3/00 to win the game.
- Previous defensive record:
Italy conceded just the one to a tough Belgium side who only scored via a penalty. Spain were looking comfortable but conceded one in normal time to take the game to extra time and penalties against Switzerland, but it was the Spaniards who would progress after winning 3-1 on penalties.
Lorenzo Insigne (Italy) has scored three goals in his last five internationals. Spain’s Álvaro Morata has found the net twice at Euro 2020 so far (once in extra time) and also scored in a 3-0 win in the last head to head in September 2017.
Alessandro Florenzi (Italy) misses out with a calf injury and Leonardo Spinazzola (Italy) also misses out after suffering an achilles tendon injury against Belgium. Pablo Sarabia (Spain) is a doubt with a thigh injury.
Italy possible line-up: Donnarumma; Florenzi, Bonucci, Chiellini, Emerson; Barella, Jorginho, Verratti; Chiesa, Immobile, Insigne
Spain possible line-up: Unai Simón; Azpilicueta, García, Laporte, Alba; Koke, Busquets, Pedri; Moreno, Morata, Olmo
Managers view:
Roberto Mancini, Italy: “We scored two [against Belgium] and we could have scored more. I think the victory was fully deserved. Spain are next, but the more you progress, the more difficult it becomes.”
Luis Enrique, Spain: “We are so proud. It’d be ridiculous to think that we, or any of the semi-finalists, would sign for just getting this far now – all of us want to get to the final and win.”
Last six form guide:
Italy: WWWWWW
Spain: DWWDDW
These two sides have a big history in major tournaments and this game shouldn’t be any different.
In their tiki-taka era, Spain swept Italy aside 4-0 in the final of Euro 2012, but times and powers have shifted slightly since as Italy knocked out La Roja with a 2-0 win in the Euro 2016 round of 16.
Italy have reached the semi-finals of a major tournament for the 12th time, second to Germany (20). While also setting a new competition record by winning their last 15 Euro matches including qualifiers.
Spain will take confidence from both the fact that Italy can be beaten after a good run of clean sheets in the group stages and that they overcame a Swiss side on penalties themselves, a side who knocked World Cup holders France out, also on penalties.
La Roja should also be upbeat because they have progressed via penalties on four occasions in the Euros, more than any other nation, so if the same thing was to happen in this tie, they will believe they have the upper hand.
This tie also looks to be another mouth-watering one and for one of these winners a final awaits, where the opponents will either be England or Denmark.
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