Milan, October 7 (BNA) Spain ended its world record of 37 games unbeaten as Ferran Torres scored two goals in a 2-1 victory at the San Siro stadium in an enjoyable match in the Nations League semi-final on Wednesday.
Italy, who trailed by two goals in the first half, had to play the entire second half with ten men after captain Leonardo Bonucci was sent off but showed real determination in their quest to avoid their first loss since defeating Portugal in September 2018.
“This is what matches look like,” Italy coach Roberto Mancini said. “Sometimes certain episodes can affect them.”
“This is a disappointment. We should have stayed with 11 men… We made a mistake that you can’t do at this level.”
Spain will face the winner of Thursday’s semi-final match between France and Belgium in Sunday’s play-off, Reuters reported.
Torres put Spain ahead in the 17th minute, sending a cross from the left wing from Mikel Oyarzabal past Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma in the far corner.
Donnarumma, who was booed by AC Milan fans in anger over his recent move from the club to Paris Saint-Germain, almost gave Spain a second when he fumbled a harmless attempt by Marcos Alonso against the post but Bonucci fired the ball wide.
Any lingering questions about the significance of the match were spoiled by the scorching start and by no means was one-way traffic, as Italy began to open up the Spanish defence.
Federico Bernardeschi came close to equalizing with a low shot from the right that Spain goalkeeper Unai Simon pushed into the post and Lorenzo Insigne missed a great opportunity, firing wide when he was in space on the edge of the penalty area.
The Azzurri, who beat Spain on penalties in the Euro 2020 semi-final in July, lost a man in the 42nd minute when Bonucci was sent off to receive a second yellow card after hitting Sergio Busquets with his elbow.
Torres sent Luis Enrique’s side two goals up at the break when he was left unchecked to return another brilliant cross from Oyarzabal.
Italy brought in Giorgio Chiellini in the first half, the veteran defender and captain surprisingly left out, and despite Spain playing with real bravado, the Azzurri stayed in the game.
Spain has given the debut of 17-year-old Barcelona midfielder Jaffe, who has become the youngest player in their history after just three appearances for his club – but there was no hint of his inexperience with a confident and balanced performance.
Enrico Chiesa was the source of Italy’s brightest moments, hitting the post from a narrow angle in the 61st minute.
Oyarzabal was supposed to score the winning goal in the 78th minute, but his low shot was saved by Donnarumma.
Italy ensured a tense end to a good game when they withdrew the goal seven minutes from the end, as Chiesa took advantage of a reluctant Spanish defence, broke from the halfway line and hit the ball to be turned by substitute Lorenzo Pellegrini.
But Italy’s march ended, and with it the dream of winning the Nations League title on its soil, to follow its victory in the European Championship.
But revenge for Wembley’s loss was sweet for Spain.
“We knew it was a special match, we were in the semi-finals of the European Championship and what better way to beat them at home in the semi-finals,” Torres said.