“Golden” Joselu, scored Italy in the 88th minute and sent Spain to the final of the Nations League!

A place for the grand final of the Nations League Finals was closed Spainwhich prevailed 2-1 her Italy in the semi-final of “De Grolsch Veste” of Twente (with the same score that had won in the meeting of the two teams in the previous Final 4). Thus, on Sunday night (18/6, 21:45) “Furia Roja” will claim the trophy against Croatia, with “Squadra Azura” fighting a few hours earlier (16:00) with the host Netherlands.

Spain was the team that had more attacking initiatives, with Italy however having important chances on the counter. In a match with two goals until 11′with De la Fuente’s team opening the scoring at 3′ with Pino and Immobile immediately responding with a penalty kick having also had a goal disallowed for offside in the 21st minute. In the end, the face of the confrontation emerged as Joseluwith the Real Madrid transfer target coming on as a substitute in the 84th minute and scoring in the 88′to achieve the his third goal with the national team in as many appearances.

The match:

Excellent start to the match for Spain. Phase for “Furia Roha” just at 32”with Rodri taking the “rebound” sending the ball over the crossbar, for De la Fuente’s team to finally score in 3′ (at 173”)! Poor pass by Donnarumma, with Gavi pushing up and helping him out Pino to steal, for the last to step into the area and place undisturbed for 1-0. In fact, this was also the fastest goal scored by the Spaniards against “Squadra Azura” in their 40 meetings.

Nevertheless, Italy’s response was immediate! Specifically, at 10′ The Janiolo found himself in an advantageous position in the area, took the shot, with the ball in his outstretched hand Le Norman -who carried it out debut of Spain – and Slavko Vincic showing the white bull. The responsibility was assumed by Immobile. On one side the ball, on the other Simon and 1-1 at 11′.

An evolution of course that did not change the pattern, as Spain tried to react. She was the one who had the initiative of the movements, she produced finals – mainly with shots from the edge of the area, such as those of Navas (17′), Rodrigo (20′) and Morata (27′) – but at the same time her choice to play high having good returns – and Italy’s counterpart waiting behind the ball looking for the recovery and the counter – gave important conditions to the counter-attack for Mancini’s team.

So the Italians scored at 21′ after a terrific cross from Jorginho and a finish from Fratezi, with the goal however disallowed for offside after his intervention VAR. Important opportunity and at 36′ with Immobile spoiling the counter-attack with a diagonal shot while two of his teammates were coming in like a trailer.

Two changes for Italy at the start of the second half (Darmian and Dimarco instead of Bonucci and Spinazola), one for Spain (Asensio instead of Alba), with the pattern at the start being similar to that of the first half, namely with ” Furia Roha” to have his foot pressed on the gas, but of course not to be able to find the net.

Two huge chances in quick succession for Spain. In the 48′ The Donnarumma in the first year he pulled off an incredible instinctive close-range save from Merino, with Morata getting the ‘rebound’ but unable to turn and score from close range. On the contrary, in 52′ the Italian goalkeeper made a poor clearance, but Rodri could not score with a turn. In the 65′ Italy responded to the opportunities, with the Simon to put a huge “stop” on the shot in the movement he caught from the penalty spot o Fratezi.

The packed innings helped the pace drop. He had to reach the 80′ for the next big moment, after Ruith’s cross, Alba’s spin and Morata’s stinger.

And while everything seemed to be an extension, the newcomer Joselu had a different opinion and the… thundered at 88′: Rodri’s shot from outside the area, double counter, for the ball to go to the 33-year-old forward, who by entering the field, gave the solution to his team! Italy proved unable to react in the remaining minutes and thus Spain qualified for the grand final.

Watch the match live here.

The compositions of the two teams:

Spain (Luis de la Fuente): Simon – Navas, Le Normand, Laporte, Alba – Rodri, Merino (74′ Ruith) – Rodrigo (46′ Asensio), Gavi (68′ Canales), Pino (74′ Fati) – Morata (84′ Joselu).

Italy (Roberto Mancini): Donnarumma – Tolloi, Bonucci (46′ Darmian), Acerbi – Di Lorenzo, Fratezzi (76′ Verratti), Barella, Jorginho (60′ Cristante), Spinazzola (46′ Dimarco) – Gianiolo, Immobile (60′ Chiesa).