Full TimeSecond Half ends, Spain 2, Italy 1.Post updateAttempt missed. Rodrigo (Spain) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Joselu.Post updateAttempt blocked. Joselu (Spain) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Rodri.Goal! Spain 2, Italy 1. Joselu (Spain) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Rodri with a deflected shot.
Spain Beat Italy to Set Up Nations League Final Against Croatia
Spain have set up a Nations League final against Croatia on Sunday after a late winner from substitute Joselu secured a 2-1 victory over Italy in Enschede, Netherlands. Yeremy Pino opened the scoring for Spain before Ciro Immobile equalised for Italy with a penalty.
Spain’s Last Major Trophy
Spain’s last major trophy was the 2012 European Championship. La Roja, who lost the 2021 Nations League final to France, face a Croatia side bidding to win their country’s first international trophy. Meanwhile Italy must face the Netherlands in the Nations League third-placed play-off earlier on Sunday.
De La Fuente’s Deserved Win
Neither side is having a great time of it. Morocco knocked Spain out of the World Cup in the last 16, while Italy did not even reach the tournament. Both sides have already lost Euro 2024 qualifiers, with England beating Roberto Mancini’s Italy and Scotland stunning Spain. But this result is a major lift for Spain boss Luis de la Fuente, who replaced Luis Enrique after the World Cup following a decade in charge of his country’s youth teams.
Notable Selections for La Roja
It was a fully deserved win for La Roja, who had several notable selections. Le Normand, 26, was making his international debut, a month after gaining Spanish citizenship through his seven years living in the country while playing for Real Sociedad. He partnered Manchester City’s Aymeric Laporte, who was also born in France, at the back. And Sevilla right-back Jesus Navas, 37, made his first international appearance since 2020.
Spain Follow Plan ‘To The Letter’
Spain had got off to an ideal start when Pino caught legendary Italy captain Bonucci dawdling before beating Gianluigi Donnarumma. But Italy were level when Nicolo Zaniolo volleyed the ball off Le Normand’s arm with Immobile slotting in the penalty. Davide Frattesi thought he had put Italy ahead from Jorginho’s pass but his goal was ruled out by the video assistant referee for offside. Spain completely dominated the second half with Alvaro Morata and Rodri having good chances. But eventually it was Joselu who settled the game – four minutes after replacing Morata – from close range after Rodri’s effort took two ricochets off Italian defenders.
Joselu’s Remarkable Rise
Joselu’s winner continues a remarkable late-career rise for the Espanyol striker. The 33-year-old only made his international debut in March and has now scored three goals in three appearances. He was the third top scorer in La Liga this season with 16 goals, only behind Barcelona’s Robert Lewandowski and Real Madrid’s Karim Benzema, despite his team being relegated. Joselu has come a long way since netting four goals in 22 Premier League games for Stoke and then six in 46 league games for Newcastle before returning home in 2019.