Leonardo Bonucci was sent off before the break as Spain secured a 2-1 victory over Italy in the first of the UEFA Nations League semi-finals.
Ferran Torres scored both goals for his side in the first half, before substitute Lorenzo Pellegrini grabbed a late consolation. The result gave Spain revenge for their Euro 2020 semi-final defeat in the summer and they now progressed to Sunday’s Nations League final. It also ended Italy’s world-record 37 game unbeaten run.
La Furia Roja looked threatening down the left-hand side from the off and it was little surprise that this was where there opening goal came from. Oyarzabal was the architect, whipping a dangerous cross in for Torres to bundle home in the 17th minute.
After surviving a few first-half scares, Italy began to grow into the game with Federico Bernardeschi forcing Unai Simon into a terrific save and Lorenzo Insigne also missing a sitter.
However, Gli Azzurri’s chances were then dealt a hammerblow when Leonardo Bonucci was sent off for two bookable offences just before the break.
Prior to the half-time whistle being blown, Spain found time to double their lead. Oyarzabal and Torres combined again, with the Man City man nodding home at the back post to make it 2-0.
After the break Italy rung the changes but did not create too many chances. Meanwhile, Spain were largely content to frustrate their opposition by holding onto the ball.
? GOAL ?
? “Ferran Torres is a very special player!”
The Manchester City man has two ?
Spain lead 10-man Italy 2-0 in their #NationsLeague semi-final.
? Watch live on SS Football
? Follow #ITASPA here ? https://t.co/6NabQbJ9VE pic.twitter.com/ss4vHuhKqA— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) October 6, 2021
With seven minutes left to play Italy were handed a lifeline when miscommunication in the Spanish ranks allowed Federico Chiesa to break free and square it for Lorenzo Pellegrini to make it 2-1. However, this did not set up a late rally and Spain managed to hold on without too many problems.
Here are your player ratings for both sides from San Siro…
Gianluigi Donnarumma (GK) – 5/10 – Booed throughout upon his return to Milan. Looked a bit rattled by it to be honest, spilling one effort in the first half. Made a few good stops, though.
Giovanni Di Lorenzo (RB) – 4/10 – Could not live with Marcos Alonso and Oyarzabal down the left-hand side.
Leonardo Bonucci (CB) – 3/10 – Busquets made the most of of his ‘elbow’, but picking up two yellows before half time is unforgivable for a player of his experience.
Alessandro Bastoni (CB) – 5/10 – Poor for Torres’ goal – he really should have cut the cross out.
Emerson (LB) – 6/10 – Pretty good. He bombed forward to support Italy’s stretched front line when they were reduced to ten men.
Nicolo Barella (CM) – 5/10 – Not his best. Forced it somewhat with his passing.
Jorginho (CM) – 5/10 – A frustrating evening. Did his normal schtick before being taken off on the hour mark.
Marco Verratti (CM) – 5/10 – Another Italian midfielder who barely lasted an hour. Tidy in possession but did not influence the game as we know he can.
Federico Chiesa (RW) – 7/10 – Some incredible touches in the opening exchanges and was a real threat with his pace in behind. Needed to do more defensively but did create his side’s only goal.
Federico Bernardeschi (ST) – 6/10 – Led the line pretty well before being sacrificed for Chiellini.
Lorenzo Insigne (LW) – 4/10 – Guilty of a horrific miss in the first half. It was seriously bad. Not much else to report either.
Giorgio Chiellini – 6/10 – Did his best to rally the troops but was not successful.
Manuel Locatelli – 5/10 – Involved in a petty tangle with Yeremi Pino
Moise Kean – 5/10 – Little involvement.
Lorenzo Pellegrini – 7/10 – Gave his side hope with the simplest of finishes.
Unai Simon (GK) – 7/10 – Made one smart stop from Bernardeschi before the break. Barely called upon thereafter.
Cesar Azpilicueta (RB) – 6/10 – Solid. Loses a mark for an unnecessary yellow card in the first half.
Aymeric Laporte (CB) – 6/10 – Not tested all that much for obvious reasons. Concentration seemed to drop after the break.
Pau Torres (CB) – 6/10 – Barely misplaced a pass all evening but easily beaten for Italy’s goal.
Marcos Alonso (LB) – 7/10 – Linked up nicely with Oyarzabal and kept Chiesa’s influence to minimum.
Koke (CM) – 7/10 – Did not do very much wrong at all. Ensured Gavi had an easy debut.
Sergio Busquets (CM) – 7/10 – Proved there’s still life in the master of the dark arts yet, as he got Bonucci sent off in the first half.
Gavi (CM) – 7/10 – Become Spain’s youngest ever player and did not look out of place on the grandest stage. Bubbling with confidence.
Pablo Sarabia (RW) – 7/10 – Extremely hard working – made life difficult for the Italian backline.
Ferran Torres (ST) – 9/10 – Clinical when it mattered. Further evidence that he can become a world class striker in the years to come. Forced off with injury just after the break.
Mikel Oyarzabal (LW) – 9/10 – Had real joy down the left and laid on both goals. Created plenty of other chances throughout. A real star.
Yeremi Pino – 7/10 – Did very well after coming on and looks a real talent. However, did pick up a silly yellow card which nearly sparked a brawl.
Bryan Gil – 6/10
Mikel Merino – 6/10
