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Euro 2020 ScoreCentre: Spain and Italy set up a semi-final date


Spain will meet Italy in the Euro 2020 semi-finals after beating Switzerland on penalties. The Italians beat Belgium 2-1 in the other match this morning. 

Switzerland vs Spain

Spain won through after a penalty shoot out in which just four of nine players scored.(

AP: Maxim Shemetov

)

Spain edges past 10-man Switzerland in a penalty shoot out after their quarter final match in St Petersburg finished 1-1 after extra time.

Spain captain Sergio Busquets set the tone for a woeful shootout, missing the very first penalty of the shoot out, hitting the base of the post despite sending Yann Sommer the wrong way.

Mario Gavranović and Dani Olmo both slotted their efforts, but then the next three were saved, Fabian Schär, Rodri and Manuel Akanji all missing.

Gerard Moreno steadied Spain’s nerves before Ruben Vargas sent his spot kick high over the bar to give Mikel Oyarzabal the chance to secure progression, which he did with aplomb.

An own-goal by Switzerland midfielder Denis Zakaria gave Spain the lead in the eighth minute. The Swiss equalised when Xherdan Shaqiri took advantage of a defensive mix-up in the 68th.

Remo Freuler was shown a straight red card in the 78th for a studs-up challenge on Spain substitute Gerard Moreno.

Both teams were playing their second-straight 120-minute match after being taken to extra time in the round of 16.

ABC/AP

Belgium vs Italy

Lorenzo Insigne slides on his knees and smiles
Lorenzo Insigne’s goal, the second of the game, was truly special.(

AP: Stuart Franklin

)

Italy has beaten Belgium 2-1 in Munich, underlining their status as tournament favourites after a pulsating Euro 2020 quarter-final of the highest quality.

First half goals to Nicolò Barella and Lorenzo Insigne helped Italy to a 2-0 lead, before Romalu Lukaku reduced the deficit from the penalty spot just before the break.

Belgium had chances to equalise in a tense yet entertaining second half, but Italy’s defence held firm to put Roberto Mancini’s side into the semi finals, extending their unbeaten streak to 32 matches.



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