At 2:45 a.m. Beijing time on June 16, Spain played Italy in the second semifinal of the 2022-23 UEFA Nations League. Just three minutes into the first half, Pinault scored a blitz to give Spain the lead, and then Immobile equalized with a penalty; In the final moments of the second half, Joselu completed the kill. In the end, Spain beat Italy 2-1 to advance to the UEFA Nations League final, where they will compete with Croatia.
In the opening semi-finals, Croatia eliminated the Netherlands 4-2 in extra time to advance to the final. Spain sent a number of newcomers, while Italy basically continued the Euro 2020 winning squad. Before the match, players from both teams observed a moment of silence for former Milan president Berlusconi, who had just died.
In the third minute, Donnarumma's short pass from the back to defender Bonucci was Pino's aggressive steal and the ball at Bonucci formed a single knife, who pushed into the far corner inside the box to give Spain a 1-0 lead over Italy.
In the 11th minute, Zaniolo received the ball in the box with a volley with his left foot, the ball hit Lenoerman's raised arm, and the referee awarded a penalty.
Italy's penalty was taken by Immobile Bille, who fired a powerful low right-footed shot into the bottom left corner of the goal and tricked goalkeeper Unai Simon into scoring the ball, Italy 1-1 Spain.
In the 17th minute, Keylor Navas cut inside from the right and volleyed left-footed in front of the penalty area, which went high over the crossbar. In the 20th minute, Rodrigo won a low left-footed shot from the right side of the penalty area, the ball was too small and was saved by Donnarumma.
In the 21st minute, the Italian midfielder sent a straight shot and Fratesi threw away the defending Alba for a solo chance, and he scored with a low shot from inside the box. However, Fratesi was offside and the goal was invalidated.
In the 27th minute, Morata took the ball from the centre circle to the top of the arc and fired a long-range shot that Donnarumma fell to the ground to seal the ball. In the 42nd minute, Garvey sent a straight shot in front of the box and Morata followed him, but the shot was too small and was denied by Donnarumma.
In the 44th minute, Spinazzola was cleared in a cross from the left side, and Tloy's right-footed shot from far before the arc went over the crossbar. At the end of the first half, the two teams were temporarily tied.
In the 48th minute, Asensio picked out a cross in front, Merino's close-range shot from the penalty area was saved, and Morata leaned on the defender and turned to make up for the shot that was slightly deflected.
In the 52nd minute, Spain's free-kick from the left side of the field was hoisted into the box, Donnarumma made a save but missed the ball, Rodri put the ball up the barb and shot the ball slightly over the crossbar.
In the 65th minute, Zaniolo crossed from the left side of the field, Fratesi snatched a left-footed shot from a defender in the box, Simon saved the ball, and Fratesi added another shot that deflected off the line.
In the 79th minute, Alba crossed from the left side of the penalty area and Morata's small-angle shot was blocked by Donnarumma. In the 88th minute, Spain continued to pass in front of the box, Alba's cross from the left was cleared, Rodri's powerful volley at the top of the arc was blocked, and Joselu in front of the goal stretched out his foot to score the ball, Spain beat Italy 2-1.
In the end, the match was over, and Spain beat Italy 2-1 to advance to the final.