- Italy unbeaten in their last 32 games
- Spain aiming for a record fourth continental crown
- Up to 60,000 fans expected at Wembley Stadium
- Winner to face England or Denmark in the final on Sunday
5 mins ago (21:47 GMT)
Next stop: Sunday
Italy beat Spain 4-2 on penalties.
That’s six wins out of six in the tournament. They remain unbeaten for a 33rd game. What a run that is!
They will take on either England or Denmark in the final on Sunday.
YESSSSSSSSS!!!!! 😍😍😍#VivoAzzurro #EURO2020 #ITA #ITAESP pic.twitter.com/dW2FpcZcGA
— Italy ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (@azzurri) July 6, 2021
13 mins ago (21:39 GMT)
ITALY WIN!
Italy: ❌ ⚽ ⚽ ⚽ ⚽
Spain: ❌ ⚽ ⚽ ❌
Italy players celebrate after winning the penalty shoot-out [Reuters]23 mins ago (21:29 GMT)
Time’s up
The first finalist of the Euro 2020 will be decided from the penalty spot.
A goal each for Italy and Spain in the 120 minutes. No more.
🇮🇹🆚🇪🇸
⏪ Shoot-out flashback from EURO 2008! Who’ll be the hero this time? #EURO2020 pic.twitter.com/hzCB70FCxN
— UEFA EURO 2020 (@EURO2020) July 6, 2021
28 mins ago (21:24 GMT)
Final five
Italy, Spain, someone give us a goal.
Penalties beckon. I’m already practicing pasting goals and misses emojis on this blog…
32 mins ago (21:20 GMT)
GOAL! Hold on…
It’s in the back of the net… but Berardi ruled offside.
Spain survive. Italy enjoying a good spell.
⏱️ 110′ – #Berardi has the ball in the net, but it’s chalked off for offside 😤#ITAESP 1️⃣-1️⃣#ITA #Azzurri #VivoAzzurro pic.twitter.com/77uInnXX8w
— Italy ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (@azzurri) July 6, 2021
38 mins ago (21:14 GMT)
Substitutions
Captain Busquets off, Thiago on. Extra-time second-half underway.
Bad news for Italy. Their goal-scorer Chiesa forced off. Bernardeschi replaces him.
Italy 1-1 Spain
42 mins ago (21:10 GMT)
15 done, 15 to go
First-half of extra-time gone, scores remain level.
Into the final 15 minutes of open play to find a goal.
Pedri passing is absolutely 99%
Man is class, I wonder what he will do in the #WorldCup2022 if his fit #EURO2020— RaYnE & FooTBALL ⚽️⚽️❤️ (@raymond370) July 6, 2021
49 mins ago (21:03 GMT)
Yellow card
Spain break on the left.. Toloi breaks that down with his right hand and gets a yellow for his efforts.
Bit of a start-stop game now. Can see smoke coming out of the referee’s whistle with all those fouls.
Italy 1-1 Spain
55 mins ago (20:57 GMT)
Morata’s record
That 80th-minute equaliser has taken Morata to the top of a list.
He’s now the highest goal-scorer for Spain at European Championships.
🇪🇸 Most EURO final tournament goals for Spain:
⚽️6⃣ @AlvaroMorata
⚽️5⃣ @Torres
⚽️4⃣ @Guaje7Villa#EURO2020 pic.twitter.com/e3E99LexIe— UEFA EURO 2020 (@EURO2020) July 6, 2021
56 mins ago (20:56 GMT)
Here we go… again
Another 30 minutes to find a winner… otherwise it will be penalties.
Kick-off in extra-time.
Italy 1-1 Spain
1 hour ago (20:50 GMT)
End of normal time
That’s it, the 90 minutes (and some) done and dusted.
Spain ahead on possession, total shots and passes.
But Italy equal on goals scored. Onto 30 minutes of extra-time shortly…
Italy 1-1 Spain
1 hour ago (20:44 GMT)
Last five minutes
Change of personnel, change of tactics… change of scoreline too?
Five minutes of normal time to go. Not ruling out a result in normal time the way this is going.
Italy 1-1 Spain
🇪🇸 Spain’s hero!
⚽️ Álvaro Morata #EURO2020 pic.twitter.com/GXboYjyG6O— UEFA EURO 2020 (@EURO2020) July 6, 2021
1 hour ago (20:38 GMT)
⚽ GOAL
Morata, the super sub! Scores the equaliser in the 80th minute.
Italy 1-1 Spain
Spain’s Alvaro Morata scores [Reuters]1 hour ago (20:37 GMT)
Heading into the last 10
Spain need a goal. Simple.
Spain coach Luis Enrique [Reuters]1 hour ago (20:30 GMT)
Italy’s substitutions
Pessina on for Verratti
Toloi on for Emerson
⏱️ 74′ – Two more Italy subs 🔄
⤴️ #Toloi #Pessina
⤵️ #Emerson #Verratti#ITAESP 1️⃣-0️⃣#ITA #Azzurri #VivoAzzurro pic.twitter.com/ZUuoYaSYeo— Italy ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (@azzurri) July 6, 2021
1 hour ago (20:27 GMT)
Spain’s substitutions
Moreno on for Oyarzabal
Rodri on for Koke
Twenty minutes left.
Italy 1-0 Spain
1 hour ago (20:24 GMT)
A 33rd for Italy?
As things stand, Italy are on course for a 33rd match unbeaten.
They last lost in 2018… that was a long time ago.
And a reminder that Italy have conceded just two goals in this tournament so far. Spain would need to double that tally at least to stand a chance.
Italy fans celebrate after Federico Chiesa scores their first goal [Reuters]2 hours ago (20:20 GMT)
Substitutions
Spain: Morata on for Torres
Italy: Berardi on for Immobile
2 hours ago (20:16 GMT)
⚽ GOAL!
Chiesa curls in the opener for Italy in the 60th minute from a counter-attack.
Spain’s goal-keeper Simon did not even try to stop that… he couldn’t. It was a fabulous goal from a fabulous move.
Italy 1-0 Spain
Federico Chiesa scores Italy’s opener [Reuters]2 hours ago (20:09 GMT)
Busquets in the book
Seemed untidy but not THAT untidy. Spanish captain gets the first yellow card of the semi-final.
And he NEARLY scores a minute later! Curls it just wide of the post..
2 hours ago (20:03 GMT)
Back to work
We’re back underway… 45 minutes of normal time remain for both sides to find a goal (or five).
Let’s see who gets there first.
And we’re also the closest we’ve ever been in the match to penalty kicks… ⚽⚽⚽
2 hours ago (19:47 GMT)
Stalemate at half-time
With half the match (normal time) gone, Spain have enjoyed greater possession (65 percent) and have looked the more dangerous side but Italy have not sat back.
Unfortunately for both sides, it’s goalless.
Spain fan displays a sign inside the stadium [Reuters]
Italian fans cheer during the semi-final [AP Photo]
2 hours ago (19:40 GMT)
Five minutes until half-time
On the touchline, who would you say be the happier of the two? And with the voice intact?
Spain coach Luis Enrique and Italy coach Roberto Mancini [Reuters]2 hours ago (19:38 GMT)
Spain’s got fans
Or is that sarcasm?
One of the most satisfying things to watch is Spanish team passing the ball.#EURO2020 #ITAESP
— praśānt (@iam____prasanth) July 6, 2021
2 hours ago (19:30 GMT)
30 minutes gone
Half an hour gone and Spain the only side to have a shot on target – add 253 passes and 69 percent possession to that.
Spain’s coach Enrique did say yesterday “we are leaders in ball possession [in the tournament]”.
No goals as yet, but a quality game. #ItalySpain #EURO2020
— Simon Fish (@SimonJohnFish) July 6, 2021
2 hours ago (19:27 GMT)
Dani Olmo-st
First shot on target and Dani Olmo almost scores for Spain. Good block by Donnarumma after he gave the ball away from the goal-kick.
26 minutes gone, it’s 0-0.
⏱️ 25′ – Great reflexes from #Donnarumma to deny Dani Olmo! 🧤#ITAESP 0️⃣-0️⃣#ITA #Azzurri #VivoAzzurro pic.twitter.com/99T2eE4l9v
— Italy ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (@azzurri) July 6, 2021
2 hours ago (19:22 GMT)
Massive chance for Italy
Italy attack from the left, Spain’s goal-keeper Simon left stranded on the edge of the box but Italy miss the chance to go one-up.
Back on the seats, everyone.
3 hours ago (19:15 GMT)
One-sixth of the semi-final gone
With 15 minutes being played, Spain, as they’ve done throughout the tournament, enjoying greater possession – 76 percent of it and 159 passes already.
No goals yet to show from the efforts though.
Spain’s Mikel Oyarzabal in action with Italy’s Emerson [Reuters]3 hours ago (19:08 GMT)
Even so far
Five minutes into the semi-final, no shots on target but both teams have enjoyed equal time on the ball.
Spain did have a couple of scares but the offside flag – twice – helped them stay even.
3 hours ago (19:00 GMT)
Kick-off
We’re underway. It’s Italy vs Spain for a space in the final of the 2020 European Championship.
Spain get us started from left to right.
One team is playing its last match at Euro 2020…
3 hours ago (18:56 GMT)
Italy to win…
That’s what our Twitter followers have predicted in the poll. Four minutes until kick-off
3 hours ago (18:24 GMT)
Rain or shine?
A bit of rain around in London. Could it influence play? Maybe, maybe not.
Where I’m sitting, it’s dry and it’s 33C (91.4F) with 78 percent humidity… that makes the real-feel 46C (14.8F).
And it’s past 9pm…. 🌙 Take your pick.
A wall of rain block out view over London! Where has the summer gone? pic.twitter.com/mm9s6T80Um
— awechalekar (@awechalekar) July 6, 2021
4 hours ago (18:20 GMT)
Mancini calls it 50-50
And here is what Italy’s coach Roberto Mancini said:
“If Italy and Spain have made it thus far, it means that we’ve done very well. If we’re into the semi-final, it means that we deserve to be at this stage of the competition.
“So I think it’s 50-50 with regards to who has the tag of favourites.”
4 hours ago (18:12 GMT)
‘Leaders in ball possession’
Here’s what Luis Enrique, Spain’s coach, said about his side on the eve of the semi-final:
“We are leaders in ball possession [in the tournament] but they can also make use of it and enjoy the ball, that’ll be the first battle we need to conquer.
“They can adapt to not having the ball, they’ve done that in the tournament in certain stages but they’re more comfortable with the ball and stronger with it.
4 hours ago (18:04 GMT)
Under an hour to go…
The crowd is rolling in and both teams have (finally) arrived at Wembley.
Kick-off is just 55 minutes away.
What must be going through Morata’s mind. What is going through your mind?
Tell us. Vote:
Who will win tonight’s #EURO2020 semi-final at Wembley? 👇
— AJE Sport (@AJE_Sport) July 6, 2021
4 hours ago (17:55 GMT)
Here are the starting-XIs
Italy (4-3-3)
Gianluigi Donnarumma; Giovanni Di Lorenzo, Leonardo Bonucci, Giorgio Chiellini (c), Emerson Palmieri; Nicolo Barella, Jorginho, Marco Verratti; Federico Chiesa, Ciro Immobile, Lorenzo Insigne.
Spain (4-3-3)
Unai Simon; Cesar Azpilicueta, Eric Garcia, Aymeric Laporte, Jordi Alba; Pedri, Sergio Busquets (c), Koke; Mikel Oyarzabal, Ferran Torres, Dani Olmo.
Incase you missed it: Morata drops to the bench for Spain 😲
Morata started every game at Euro 2020 despite criticism for his struggles in front of goal.
4 hours ago (17:51 GMT)
It’s coming Rome…
Italy’s football supporters make their way to Wembley Stadium [Tolga Akmen/AFP]
Spain supporters cheer on the stands before the match [Facundo Arrizabalaga/Pool via AP]
Italians are already celebrating… a 33rd win? [Carl Recine/Pool via Reuters]
4 hours ago (17:42 GMT)
Report card
Here’s a look at how both teams have performed at this year’s tournament.
Italy haven’t dropped any points. Spain just don’t like giving the ball away…. but have won just ONE game in normal time at Euro 2020.
Neither side has seen red… And a semi-final isn’t the best place to get your first.
5 hours ago (17:13 GMT)
A record already (almost)
Both sides will create a record at kick-off.
In just under two hours, Italy vs Spain will become the most-played fixture at the European Championships.
🇮🇹🆚🇪🇸🔜
Tonight’s clash will be the 7th EURO finals encounter between these sides, making it the most-played fixture at the tournament 👀#EURO2020 pic.twitter.com/AzybwfI0ru
— UEFA EURO 2020 (@EURO2020) July 6, 2021
5 hours ago (17:07 GMT)
Predict the winner
You don’t need to be the late Paul the Octopus, that smart elephant or a super-computer to make the predictions.
It’s easy. Just head over to our Twitter page and take part in our first semi-final poll.
Who will win tonight’s #EURO2020 semi-final at Wembley? 👇
— AJE Sport (@AJE_Sport) July 6, 2021
5 hours ago (17:01 GMT)
When is kick-off?
In two hours – 19:00 GMT
🇮🇹🆚🇪🇸🔜
🌍 Where in the world will you be watching from?#EURO2020
— UEFA EURO 2020 (@EURO2020) July 6, 2021
5 hours ago (16:30 GMT)
Road to the semis
Italy
Beat Turkey 3-0
Beat Switzerland 3-0
Beat Wales 1-0
Beat Austria 2-1 (after ET)
Beat Belgium 2-1
Spain
Drew 0-0 with Sweden
Drew 1-1 with Poland
Beat Slovakia 5-0
Beat Croatia 5-3 (after ET)
Beat Switzerland 3-1 (penalties)
5 hours ago (16:25 GMT)
Getting ready
🔥 The #Azzurri jerseys being prepared ahead of #ITAESP 🇮🇹🇪🇸
📹➡️ https://t.co/O7uQAA1e94#VivoAzzurro #ITA
— Italy ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (@azzurri) July 6, 2021
6 hours ago (16:20 GMT)
How Luis Enrique got Spain to the semis
Spain’s coach Luis Enrique has coped with personal tragedy and the effect of negative public opinion to rally his young squad and lead them to the semi-finals.
He incurred the wrath of many fans and large sections of the Spanish media for leaving Sergio Ramos out of his squad and picking no players from Real Madrid.
The coach turned more heads by only picking a 24-man squad instead of 26 and for encouraging French-born defender Aymeric Laporte to switch nationalities and lead the team’s defence instead of Ramos.
He then kept Sergio Busquets in the squad after the midfielder tested positive for COVID-19, showing a sense of patience he did not afford Ramos, who had missed much of the last season through injury.
Radio Marca described Luis Enrique as “pigheaded”, adding Spain were “not cut out to win this Euros and we all know it”.
Spain coach Luis Enrique [Kirill Kudryavtsev/Pool via Reuters]6 hours ago (16:05 GMT)
Unbeaten Italy vs possession kings Spain
Italy vs Spain marks a blockbuster first semi-final at Euro 2020 with Tuesday’s game the latest episode in a burgeoning rivalry between the nations meeting in a fourth consecutive European Championship.
Italy have won all five matches at this year’s tournament. Spain boast an average possession of 67 percent.
