Italy unbeaten run over
FIGHT TO THE END: Azzurri fell to Spain
Italy suffered their first home defeat in a competitive football match since 1999 as Spain beat the European champions 2-1 in Wednesday night’s Nations League semifinal.
Ferran Torres scored either side of Leonardo Bonucci’s sending off after a second caution at the San Siro, before Lorenzo Pellegrini pulled one back for the Azzurri.
The defeat ended Italy’s world-record unbeaten run of 37 matches and sent Spain to Sunday’s 8.45pm final against Belgium or France, who faced off last night.
Despite taking the L, Azzurri boss Roberto Mancini and skipper Giorgio Chiellini believe the team can only get stronger, ahead of Sunday’s 3pm third-place playoff against the loser of the second semi.
Buoyed by their showing with 10 men, Mancini says: “It’s a shame. We showed we are a great team.”
Chiellini adds: “It’s a necessary stage in the growth process. We almost got it back on level terms when down to 10 men and 2-0 down, so that shows what we're capable of.”