Three months on from the victory in the EURO 2020 semi-final, Spain beat Italy 2-1 at San Siro and take the first spot in Sunday’s Nations League final. The Azzurri, meanwhile, are off to Turin to take on the loser of France vs. Belgium in the third-place playoff. This all means that Italy have lost for the first time in over three years, ending a run of 37 games without defeat for Roberto Mancini’s side, in spite of the support of 37,000 fans at the Meazza, all of whom applauded the Champions of Europe after the full-time whistle. Spain went with a really young side as Luis Enrique handed a debut to 17-year-old Gavi from the start and to 18-year-old Yeremi Pino midway through the second half. It’s no surprise either that La Roja’s two goals came from a 21-year-old Ferran Torres. Pellegrini’s late goal wasn’t enough for the Azzurri, who twice hit the post (Bernardeschi and Chiesa) and spurned a huge chance through Insigne while it was still 1-0. There will be huge regret due to the second yellow shown to Bonucci and for conceding a second goal so close to half time. Italy will head to Turin where, on Sunday afternoon, they will play in the bronze medal match, while Spain will contest the final at San Siro.

THE GAME.  Italy made only two changes from the team that started in the final at Wembley three months ago; Bastoni and Bernardeschi started in place of Chiellini and the injured Immobile. Luis Enrique - without Dani Olmo, Morata, Pedri and Jordi Alba - went with a front three of Ferran Torres, Oyarzabal and Sarabia. Two veterans in Busquets and Koke started in midfield alongside young Gavi, the surprise inclusion, who became Spain’s youngest-ever debutant.

This was a meeting between two sides that love to play possession football and press high. The game started at a frantic pace and Italy forced the first chance of the match; Chiesa tested Unai Simón in just the fifth minute. Spain had plenty of joy down the left flank and Alonso laid it off for Sarabia, who looked for Oyarzabal in the middle but the Real Sociedad forward’s effort was blocked by Bastoni. The opener came in the 17th minute; Alonso gave it to Oyarzabal, who delivered the ball in on a silver platter for Torres to turn it home. It could’ve got worse almost immediately as Donnarumma fumbled Alonso’s effort. Fortunately, Bonucci was wide-awake and cleared it off the goal line with Koke lurking for the tap in. La Roja were by now growing into the game, while the Azzurri struggled to force their way into Spain’s penalty area. Di Lorenzo had a go, meeting Insigne’s corner with a diving header that went just wide. Jorginho then found Bernardeschi with a ball forward but the ensuing effort struck the upright after a touch from Simón. Emerson - fed by Insigne - then fired wide from close range. And then, in the space of a few minutes, it all went wrong for the Azzurri. Italy found themselves down to ten men (42’) following a second yellow shown to Bonucci for an elbow against Busquets. Insigne had the chance to equalise, Simón save and, in added time, Torres netted his and Spain’s second, heading past Donnarumma.

Mancini brought on Chiellini at the break (for Bernardeschi), while Luis Enrique brought his goalscorer off for young debutant Yeremi Pino (49’). A man down, Italy struggled to get on the ball and Spain controlled the game. Kean and Locatelli came on for Insigne and Verratti but it wasn’t to be for Italy. Chiesa was through on goal following Di Lorenzo’s pass but his effort crashed against the upright - the second time Italy hit the post this evening. Spain then had the chance to extend their lead to three goals but Oyarzabal headed just wide. Jorginho’s game finished too as he made way for Pellegrini. Donnarumma made a fantastic save late on to deny Alonso and then Chiesa broke away to give the Azzurri hope of a comeback. The Juventus forward streaked clear of the defence and unselfishly laid it off for Pellegrini to stroke it home: 2-1. It was, however, too little too late. Italy taste defeat for the first time in over three years, but they do so as the reigning Champions of Europe.