UEFA EURO 2020: Italy in finals after winning in penalty shoot-out over Spain

LONDON:

Italy extended their unbeaten run to 33 matches on Wednesday after the Roberto Mancini-led side booked a finals berth in the European Championship 2020, defeating an attacking Spanish side in a penalty shoot-out (4-2) to break a 1-1 deadlock. 

Italy made the breakthrough in the second half with Federico Chiesa curling the ball into the net, even after seeming shaky in the first half due to the repeated attacks from the Spanish front three led by Dani Olmo. 

However, Luis Enrique's men broke the Italian defence barricade, set up by veteran centre backs Leonardo Bonucci and his long-time partner Giorgio Chiellini, after Alvaro Morata beat in-form goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma to net the ball in the 80th min, reviving a suppressed Spanish crowd at Wembley.

With scores level at 1-1, Spain went in as favourites in the extra time, having not lost both their games in the tournament going beyond regulation time.

However, the deadlock failed to be broken, with the game coming down to penalty shootouts. 

With Spain's Dani Olmo's shot flying over the crossbar and Alvaro Morata failing to go past Donnarumma, Italy booked their finals berth.

The team will now face the winner of the England-Denmark game, scheduled to take place on Thursday, 12:30 am IST.

(Edited by Marvin Kharsohnoh)

TNT-The Northeast Today is now on WhatsApp: CLICK HERE to receive more updates on your phone.