The Spanish team executed the sweetest revenge, ending Italy’s historic unbeaten streak at home, conquering San Siro to settle outstanding accounts of the European Championship with a double of Ferran Torres and a vindication of a footballing style that overcame all the conditions with which Luis Enrique faced the final four of the League of Nations.
Soccer owed one to Spain. I had it pointed from display no prize at Wembley in the semifinals of the last European Championship. That penalty shootout left Luis Enrique’s group at the gates of glory when he most deserved it. Without key players in his scheme, he achieved what seemed impossible, to turn Italy into earthly on his field. I had never achieved it in an official match, 50 years ago in friendly.
The streak of 37 games without defeat Italy destroyed Spain based on faith in a philosophy that is maintained despite the casualties, overcoming everything and with Luis Enrique reinforced in decisions that generated a stir. Gavi, starter with 17 years and 62 days, gave the reason in the field to the selector. With an impudence unbefitting of his age, shone where it is less commonl but where Italy demanded, in defensive work, without being daunted by anyone.
And in the absence of a pure 9 the real scorer appeared by Luis Enrique, Ferran Torres with record numbers. His double consecrates him as a reference, 12 goals in 21 games show the importance of a footballer who left the band and ate the Italian centrals. Without starting Chiellini to everyone’s surprise and with Bonucci as misguided with the ball as when measuring his game with yellow. On the brink of rest he would stick out his elbow in a jump with Busquets and left his team on the edge of the precipice, seconds before fitting the second.
There is no duel that lowers the level between two teams like Spain and Italy, even less in San Siro, with recent chapters that mark a showdown of greatness. Stars were missing on the grass due to injuries but it didn’t matter for a brave approach, with Luis Enrique’s men taking over the kick-off ball again, sending, canceling the rival with a perfectly executed high pressure.
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With the go to the final in your pocket and waiting for a rival between France and Belgium, the meeting for Spain became avoiding the Italian harshness with one eye on the clock. But no matter the circumstances, that the italian character always ensures to land on his feet in case of defeat. Raised the intensity to the limit that allowed the referee and Mancini’s changes increased the muscle, with Kean biting and increasing verticality.
Al gavi premiere added that of Yeremy Pino, another breath of fresh air with plenty of quality in attack. He did everything right until an error in the closing of a corner kick that caused a two against one and both at the pleasure of Pilgrims seven minutes from the end.
With the San Siro stands resurrected, pushing his team to the end, Italy fought until the last second but Spain did not suffer and sealed their pass to the final. Nine years later, he has the opportunity to win a title again after executing a sweet revenge.
