in a showdown between two European icons on Thursday evening, Spain punched their Nations League last ticket as they snatched a last-gasp 2-1 victory in opposition to Italy in Enschede.
While Villarreal starlet Jeremy Pino may need handed La Roja a dream begin because the 20-year-old bagged the opener after simply three minutes, Luis de la Fuente’s aspect nearly instantly got here crashing again all the way down to earth as Ciro Immobile transformed from the spot simply seven minutes later.
However, whereas each of the world giants may need created a string of alternatives right here, it was Spain’s new tremendous sub who will as soon as once more steal a lot of the headlines in Holland.
Making one other exceptional cameo look after coming off the bench within the last couple of minutes, it was Joselu who proved to be the match-winner because the Espanyol ace slotted house simply seconds earlier than injury-time.
Making a direct return to profitable methods following March’s Hampden collapse, La Roja will now have their full consideration targeted on Sunday’s finale in opposition to a high-flying Croatia in Rotterdam.
Now dropping simply one among their final 5 conferences in opposition to Italy and cashing in on an Azzurri squad which have continued to indicate some relatively obvious inconsistencies, now we have taken a wanting on the primary speaking factors from Thursday’s Nations League semi-final.
Spain declare an important enhance in Enschede
Crashing again all the way down to earth on March twenty eighth as they slumped to a shocking 2-0 loss away at Scotland, Spain have been greater than conscious that that they had an enormous quantity of stress on their shoulders once they arrived in Enschede on Thursday evening.
While the previous world champions may need opened their EURO qualifying journey with a 3-0 romp at house in opposition to Norway, La Roja are nonetheless totally looking for their toes beneath De La Fuente.
Parting methods with Luis Enrique earlier within the 12 months following their lackluster World Cup Round of 16 exit by the hands of Morocco, Spain’s victory on Thursday continues to be simply the second win that they’ve collected from their final six appearances throughout all competitions.
Nevertheless, snatching a exceptional last-gasp winner right here and edging previous the reigning European champions, the Reds will likely be determined to make use of their semi-final show as a platform to construct on going ahead.
Now turning their consideration to what’s a blockbuster Nations League last showdown in opposition to a high-flying Croatia on Sunday evening, De La Fuente will likely be trying to information Spain to a primary piece of worldwide silverware since their World Cup success again in 2012.
Italy are again to their inconstant worst
Although Italy may need surprised England at Wembley two years in the past as they bought their fingers on a second European crown, the Azzurri have relatively drastically didn’t construct on that success.
While Roberto Mancini’s aspect may need ended March’s worldwide break with a routine 2-0 victory away at Malta, the previous Manchester City boss has come beneath rising scrutiny throughout the previous 24 months.
Opening their EURO qualifying journey with a disappointing 2-1 defeat at house in opposition to the Three Lions on March twenty third, Italy have now misplaced three of their final 4 appearances throughout all competitions.
Remarkably mustering back-to-back victories on only a single event since their European triumph two years in the past, Mancini’s aspect are additionally nonetheless ready to get themselves again onto the key match stage.
Shockingly failing to punch their World Cup ticket final 12 months after getting hit with an notorious 1-0 defeat at house in opposition to North Macedonia, the Blues are desperately in search of some much-needed stability in 2023.
Now recording only a single win in opposition to La Roja from their final 5 showdowns, Mancini’s downbeat squad will even know that they squandered a golden likelihood.
Joselu is the hero once more for La Roja
Marking his arrival on the worldwide stage in a spectacular vogue on March twenty fifth after coming off the bench and bagging a brace in Spain’s 3-0 qualifying victory in opposition to Norway, Joselu was as soon as once more the hero on Thursday evening.
Although the one-time Newcastle misfit may need been disillusioned after being dropped from De La Fuente’s beginning XI right here, the 33-year-old has shortly grow to be a key a part of Spain’s squad over the previous couple of months.
Finding the web with just about his first contact simply 5 minutes after coming off the bench, Joselu has notched three targets in his first 4 worldwide appearances and has continued on a career-best marketing campaign this season.
While Espanyol may need didn’t hold maintain of their La Liga standing final month and coming beneath an enormous quantity of scrutiny, Joselu was one among Spain’s most deadly marksmen in 2023.
Notching 16 La Liga targets this season, it additionally seems that the ex-Stoke striker may very well be set for a shocking transfer to the capital throughout the summer season switch window.
Agreeing phrases with Real Madrid and inching in the direction of a blockbuster transfer to Los Blancos forward of the 2023/24 marketing campaign, Joselu will definitely be heading to the Bernabeu within the midst of a exceptional free-scoring run.
Match Report
Spain: Simon, Navas, Le Normand, Laporte, Alba, Rodri, Merino, Rodrigo, Gavi, Pino, Morata
Subs: Joselu, Asensio, Canales, Fati, Ruiz
Italy: Donnarumma, Toloi, Bonucci, Acerbi, Spinazzola, Barella, Jorginho, Frattesi, Di Lorenzo, Zaniolo, Immobile
Subs: Chiesa, Cristante, Darmian, Dimarco, Verratti
Goals: Spain: Pino (3’), Joselu (88’) – Italy: Immobile (11’ P)
Yellow Cards: Spain: Alba, Gavi, Morata – Italy: Immobile, Zaniolo
Red Cards: N/A
Referee: Tomaz Klancnik
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