Spain 2-1 Italy: Late Joselu winner sets up Nations League final with Croatia

Super-sub Joselu earned Spain their place in the UEFA Nations League final for the second time as they squeezed to a well deserved 2-1 win over Italy.

The striker had only been on the pitch for five minutes when he fired into the back of the net from close range to put La Roja back in front, having previously missed a catalogue of chances.

Luis de la Fuente’s side got off to a superb start, with Yeremy Pino capitalising on a mistake from Leonardo Bonucci to fire his side ahead after just three minutes.

The Italian response was a quick one, though, with Ciro Immobile converting from the penalty spot after Robin Le Normand’s handball, before Davide Frattesi had a goal ruled out for offside.

Spain were dominating possession though, with Alvaro Morata seeing a couple of shots saved before the break, while Mikel Merino forced a stunning stop out of Gianluigi Donnarumma, tipping the ball onto the bar, after half-time.

They were nearly made to pay for those missed chances when Frattesi was superbly denied by Unai Simon at the other end, but they eventually made the pressure pay when Joselu converted from close range to restore Spain’s lead and set up a final with Croatia.

TALKING POINT – THE SPAIN OF OLD?

Spain have been nowhere near the force they were a decade or so ago, as evidenced by their disappointing second-round exit at the hands of Morocco at the World Cup.

However, they showed glimpses of that all-conquering team in this performance, with the scoreline far from reflecting their dominance.

La Roja enjoyed well in excess of 60% of the possession, and although they were not as clinical as they could have been, they did enough to win and will provide a stern test for Croatia in Sunday’s final.

PLAYER OF THE MATCH – Rodri (Spain)

The midfielder is a Rolls Royce of a player, as he put in another dominant display in the centre of the park.

Just days after completing the treble with Manchester City, Rodri helped Spain tick throughout, and became a crucial axis as they looked to dominate possession, linking defence and attack with ease.

He was unlucky to see one effort from distance whistle over the bar in the second half, and played a hand in the winning goal, with his deflected shot bouncing up for Joselu to tuck away.

PLAYER RATINGS

SPAIN: Simon 7; Navas 7, Le Normand 6, Laporte 6, Alba 6; Rodrigo 6, Rodri 9, Merino 6, Pino 6; Gavi 6, Morata 6. Subs: Asensio 6, Canales 6, Ruiz 7, Fati 6, Joselu 7

ITALY: Donnarumma 7; Toloi 6, Bonucci 6, Acerbi 6; Di Lorenzo 7, Barella 6, Jorginho 7, Spinazzola 6, Frattesi 7; Zaniolo 5, Immobile 6. Subs: Dimarco 6, Darmian 6, Chiesa 6, Cristante 6, Verratti n/a

KEY MOMENTS

3’ GOAL! Spain 1-0 Italy (Pino). Wow! What a start! Less than three minutes on the clock and Spain are already in front after some dreadful Italy defending. Bonucci gives the ball away on the edge of the area and Yeremy Pino tucks it into the far corner

11’ GOAL! Spain 1-1 Italy (Immobile). Italy are awarded a penalty after Zaniolo’s terrible shot hits Le Normand on the arm. Immobile steps up to take it, and sends Simon the wrong way in finding the bottom corner

21’ GOAL RULED OUT! Frattesi has the ball in the back of the net from an excellent Jorginho pass, but he made his run fractionally early and VAR rule him offside

48’ OFF THE BAR! Rodri clips a brilliant ball into the box and only a stunning save from Donnarumma, tipping the ball onto the bar, prevents Mikel Merino from scoring, while Morata hooks the rebound wide

65’ WHAT A SAVE! Unai Simon; that is sensational! An unbelievable stop! Italy work the ball into the middle for Frattesi, who fizzes a shot goalwards, but the ‘keeper makes a quite sublime stop from point-blank range

88’ GOAL! SPAIN 2-1 ITALY (Joselu). It has been coming! Rodri slams a shot goalwards, it takes a huge deflection and bounces up for the super-sub Joselu to tuck home from close range

KEY STATS

• 33-year old Joselu has scored three goals in three international appearances, all of which have come this year
• Italy have now won just three of their last 17 meetings with Spain