Spain vs Italy summary: score, goals, highlights | UEFA Nations League
Spain vs Italy: As it happened
Joselu was the hero for Spain with a late goal that booked his side's place in the Nations League final against Croatia.
Spain looked to have got off to the perfect start when Yeremy Pino capitalised on some loose play in the Italy defence, firing his side ahead within the opening minutes.
But it did not take long for Italy to response and Roberto Mancini's team won a penalty after just ten minutes. Ciro Immobile converted coolly from the spot.
Despite dominating possession Spain failed to create many clear-cut chances and Unai Simon was called upon to make the biggest save of the game midway through the second half.
Both sides made five changes but it was Spain who looked the fresher in the final stages, and it was one of Luis de la Fuente's substitutes who won the game.
Espanyol's 33-year-old striker Joselu found space in the box to score the crucial goal in the final minutes of normal time, continuing his incredible record in international football.
/cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/diarioas/XKFOMYHQ37N5C2RTTZHSLWEOLM.jpg)
With his team in need of a goal, Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente turned to a 33-year-old target man who became one of his nation's oldest-ever debutants when he featured against Norway earlier this year.
Incredibly, Joselu struck twice on his debut against Norway and he scored the crucial goal again against Italy.
Real Madrid are reportedly interesting in bringing him to the club the strengthen their attacking options this summer. But who is Joselu?
Spain to play Croatia in the Nations League final
After two dramatic semi-finals, we know the identity of the two teams who will battle it out in the Nations League final.
On Wednesday Croatia secured passage with an extra time win against the Netherlands. Today it is Spain who triumph over the Italians to set up a fascinating final this Sunday.
What do both games have in common? Real Madrid!
Croatia booked their place in the final thanks to Luka Modric's late goal. For Spain it was Real Madrid target Joselu who got the goal. They meet this weekend in the final, will they be meeting in Madrid later this summer?
Joselu goal takes Spain to the final
What a story!
Spain are in the final thanks to the goal-scoring introduction of 33-year-old Joselu. His route to the national team has been a rollercoaster journey but the Espanyol target man has taken his chance with both hands.
Peep peeeep peeeeeep
And that's that! Spain are in the final of the Nations League thanks to a late winner from Joselu!
What a story and what a night for the Espanyol man.
There can't be long left now. Simon takes his time with the kick...
Spain launch the ball forward but Italy clear quickly and look to get on the attack again. They build down the left but a rather hopeful cross is claimed by Simon.
Zaniolo
The Italian forward is booked for a clumsy aerial challenge on Le Normand. Seconds slipping away for Italy...
Italy punt the ball forward but it's headed cleared by Jordi Alba.
It looks like Spain are a little fresher in the final moments and Ansu Fati nips in to pinch the ball on the halfway line.
Four minutes of added time
Spain are closing in on the Nations League final. Can they see it out?
Incredible scenes as the oft-maligned Joselu could be the man to fire Spain into the final.
Good work from Alba to fire the ball into the box but it was cleared by the Italian defence. Rodri struck a volley from the edge of the box and it landed at the boot of Joselu after a big deflection.
The Espanyol man was on hand to poke it past Donnarumma and into the net.
GOOOAAAL! Spain
And it's Joselu who comes off the bench to get a crucial goal.
It was a bit scrappy but it could be the winner here!
The Italian midfield is getting a bit leggy now and Spain are looking the most likely to find a winner in the final few minutes.
And that ends Morata's night. He is replaced by Joselu, who is rumoured to be close to a move to Real Madrid.
Alvaro Morata
Touch of frustration from Morata, who is booked for overzealously appealing for a free kick.
It wasn't even him who was on the receiving end of the tackle.
Zaniolo tries an outrageous lob from 40 yards but is sails wide of Unai Simon's goal.
Chance! Morata
An opening for Spain as Alba squares from the left. Morata looks to poke it goalwards but a defensive boots turns it wide of the post.
The resultant corner meets a Spanish head but it's out for a Italy goal kick.
Good news for Spain as Rodri is fit to continue but the free kick comes to nothing.
After a flurry of changes it's a little harder to see how Spain are trying to set up here. They haven't really replaced the width offered by Pino and Rodrigo and the play is getting bogged down in the middle of the pitch.
Rodri
The Man City midfielder receives an almighty whack to the ribs and wins a free kick around 35 yards from goal.
As we approach the final stages the pace of the game actually seems to be picking us as gaps start to appear in both sides' defences. Will there be a winner, or will it go to extra time?
Promising attack from Spain, halted by one of the most blatant handballs you will ever see from Canales.
In his defence, it was only one hand.
And now Italy make a change.
Frattesi is replaced by Veratti, who receives a rapturous applause from the Italy fans in attendance.
Two more subs for Spain with Ansu Fati and Fabian Ruiz coming on. Merino and Pino depart.
Close! Italy
Chants of 'Italia, Italia' as their side pushes up the pitch and swings in two dangerous crosses into the Spain box. They are cleared, but it's got the Italian support off their seats.
Less than 20 minutes of normal time remaining and it's difficult to say who are in the ascendency at this stage. Spain continue to dominate the ball but their attacking threat has certainly dimmed in the last 20 minutes. Italy are struggling to keep hold of the ball but Spain's defence looks 'get-at-able'.
Ansu Fati is being readied on the Spain bench. He's clearly eager to get on, and puts his shirt on back to front.
And just like that, Gavi is off. The Barca midfielder with replaced by Canales.
Unai Simon's range of passing is proving a real asset to Spain as they look to counter-act the Italian press. Morata is a willing running and Pino and Gavi are linking with him well.
Chance! Italy
That should have been a second for Italy! Great work from Dimarco on the left to get into a crossing positioning and he flash the ball across the six-yard box.
Frattesi was there to meet the ball but his left footed effort was saved brilliantly by Simon. His instinctive save keeps the scores level.
Spain aren't afraid of playing the ball long here, with mixed results. After the lightening-fast start made by Luis de la Fuente's men the intensity of their attack has definitely slipped, giving Italy a bit more time at the back.
The introduction of Federico Chiesa should change the formation of Italy's attack. Immobile had been functioning as a fairly conventional forward during his hour on the pitch, but Chiesa is much more of a wide forward, who may look to pick the ball up deep and drive forward.
Jorginho and Immobile, two of Italy's most experienced players, are replaced by Cristante and Chiesa.
Another opening for Morata that the Atleti forward doesn't take. Luckily for him, he was well offside and his miss barely registered with the crowd inside the De Grolsch Veste.
He has plenty of critics, Alvaro Morata. But his ability to hold up a long ball is a real contrast to the Italy forwards. Immobile and Zaniolo have had little to work with in the first hour but they have really struggled to build any meaningful momentum for their side.
It looks like Mancini is readying two more substitutes...
Gavi
The diminutive midfielder picks up a booking for a cynical foul on Barella as Italy looked to counter.
Ten minutes into the second half and Italy have their first real foray forward.
It doesn't come to anything and Spain are back on the ball and probing at the Italy backline.
A flurry of tough tackles from Italy to clock first Gavi and then Morata as Spain advance on the Italian goal. Both looked fair but they've left the Spanish forwards crumpled on the ground.
Brief pause here to allow them to recover..
Close! Spain
The ball is curled into the box by Jordi Alba, Donnarumma comes out to punch clear but the ball drops to Rodri in the box.
The City midfielder pivots and attempts an acrobatic bicycle kick, that flies just over the bar.
Spain really knocking on the door in the opening minutes of the second half.
More neat play from Spain as Asensio charges through the Italy backline, just muscled out by Darmian before he can get his shot away.
Italy play the resultant goal kick short and Morata retrieves it with a strong challenge. He's bundled over and Spain win a free kick on the left, 40 yards from goal.
So close! Spain
Spain so nearly in front!
Merino latched onto a clever lofted pass and poked the ball back into the centre of the box. Morata was on hand to bring the ball down but his swivelled finish trickles just wide of the post.
Interesting change at the break for Spain, with the attacking talents of Marco Asensio replacing Rodrigo. The former Real Madrid man has struggled for form in recent months but tends to perform for Spain.
Can he be the difference making here?
And we're back
The second half is underway between Spain and Italy. Who will book their place in the Nations League final?
Marco Asensio comes on to replace Rodrigo for Spain.
For Italy it's the Inter Milan duo of Darmian and Dimarco to replace Spinazzola and Bonucci
Immobile on the mark
The 33-year-old Lazio forward has not always found his best form for the national team but he has impressed in the opening 45 minutes against Spain. He scored the equaliser from the penalty spot and has made the most of the occasions on which the ball has come his way.
Phew, what a half of football.
Some were expected some fairly tired performances at the end of an exhausting club campaign but both sides have looked really up for this from the start.
Spain have had the lion's share of possession and took the lead within the opening minutes. But Italy have stuck in the game well and caused Spain problem on the break, most notably to win the penalty converted by Ciro Immobile.
Will we see a winner in the second 45, or will be need extra time and penalties to decide who faces Croatia in the Nations League final?
Peep peeep peeeep
And that's the half.
A breathless opening 45 minutes in the De Grolsch Veste stadium. The scores are level, but both sides will feel like that could have taken the lead.
One minute of added time
Just 60 seconds to go in the first half...
Jordi Alba
Bit of a soft booking for Jordi Alba, who is adjudged to have overstepped the mark in his protestations to the referee.
Chance! Toloi
What a goal that would have been!
Good work from left wing back Spinazzola to get to the byline and dive a cross into the box. Spain managed to clear but only as far as Toloi who lets fly from 25 yards.
His effort goes just over the bar, but certainly worried Simon in the Spain goal.
Chance! Morata
And just like that, the ball emerges from the right flank with Gavi, driving inside at the Italian defence. He plays a clever disguised pass to Morata but his left-footed shot is comfortably saved.
In the last ten minutes Gavi has tended to drift wide to the right, linking up with Pino and Navas on that flank. It's taken away a little of the potency from Gavi's forward runs but it seems to be helping Spain maintain possession for longer spells.
A good spell of possession for Spain results in another corner for De la Fuente's side.
Pino delivers and finds the head of Gavi, but the youngster's headed is cleared by an Italian boot.
Five minutes to go until the break, is there to be another twist in the first half?
Ciro Immobile
First booking of the game for the Italian forward, who leaves a stud on Laporte on the halfway line. The City defender stays down nursing the knock.
Jordi Albi whips a cross into the box but it evades both Morata and Rodrigo joining in at the back post. Donnarumma looks relieved as the ball bounces safely across the six-yard box.
Another long ball from Italy catches out the Spain defence and Immobile races behind the backline. He finds Barella joining the attack but a Spain defenders manages to intercept the ball.
The ball is repelled and there's a bit of a clash between Immobile and Gavi near the Italian corner flag. Italy recover the ball and launch the ball forwards toward Zaniola.
The ball is worked out to Navas on the right and he swings in a cross, cleared for another Spain corner.
A brilliant first touch from Morata brings down a raking pass from Simon, allowing Spain to get up the pitch once again. The trio of Italian defenders are struggling to get to grips with Morata in the opening stages, perhaps worried about the running of Pino, Rodrigo and Gavi in behind.
And with that Morata charges forward at the Italy backline and fired in an effort from 25 yards. His dipping shot is pushed wide by Donnarumma and Spain win the corrner.
Rodri's near-post flick goes narrowly wide of the front post and Italy get the goal kick.
There's definitely a sense of last-day-of-school about this, everyone here for a bit of a laugh before the summer holidays.
Both teams are looking to push forward whenever they get the chance. Shots are flying in from everywhere. Italian defenders are over-playing at the back!
Long may it continue...
Italy goal ruled out for offside
Davide Frattesi thought that he had given Italy the lead after finishing coolly past Unai Simon, but he is denied by a VAR check.
On first glance he looked to have timed it well, he must have been offside by inches.
We haven't seen much of Spain under Luis de la Fuente but it's clear to see how his team are set up to play today. With Rodi and Merino in the midfield Gavi is afforded much greater freedom to move forward and his direct running looks like the perfect foil for Morata's hold-up play.
In Barcelona's final game of the season we saw Gavi pushed further forward, we're seeing the same here.
Spain are back on the attack, this time through the age-less Jesus Navas. The former Manchester City wing back cuts inside and curls a left-footed shot just over the crossbar.
He is not without shortcomings, but Alvaro Morata has shown exactly why so many managers put their trust in him with his performance so far. Playing on his own up top he has done a brilliant job of hassling the Italian backline and pinched the ball for Pino's opener.
Morata's quality on the ball has allowed the trio of Spanish attacking midfielders to play off his as a focal point and unsettle Italy with their runs.
He wins another foul from Bonucci after dropping deep to link the play.
The opening stages of this game have been played at a breath-taking pace, with both teams looking to take the initiative and force a mistake from the other.
GOOOAAAL! Immobile
And it's converted by Ciro Immobile to level the game!
An incredible opening ten minutes, two goals and plenty of chances for both teams. What will we see next?
Penalty! Italy
Zanniola's volleyed shot hits the hand of a Spanish defender and it's a penalty!
Spain's attacking unit looks incredible sharp in the opening few minutes. Morata's workrate has never been in question and the trio of Gavi, Pino and Rodrigo behind him are proving a real handful with their directness.
Can they keep up this intensity?
Both teams are looking incredibly eager to get on the front foot but not so keen on the concept of 'defending'.
Italy are attempting to strike back straight away and Zanniolo is finding gaps in between the Spain midfield.
Nevertheless, Mancini is absolutely fuming n the touchline.
The game has been open from the first whistle but the Italian defence brought that upon themselves. A sloppy pass from Donnarruma put Bonucci in danger but the Italy captain took far too long on the ball on the edge of his own box.
Morata pinched the ball from him and Yeremy Pino was on hand to finish coolly. Spain with the perfect start.
GOOOAAAAL! Spain
It's Yeremy Pino with the opener!
A litany of errors at the back for Italy and the Villareal man takes the chance brilliantly. What a start!
It's a frenetic start to this semi-final, both teams looking to dominate the early stages. Morata gets clattered by Acerbi in the opening minutes but the referees waves away the complaints.
What a start that could have been for Spain!
Neat footwork from Gavi allows the youngster to drive deep into the Italy box. The ball is cleared to Rodri, who scored from a similar situation against Inter Milan in last weekend's UCL final, but he slashes the ball well over the bar.
And we're off
We're underway at the De Grolsch Veste, for the Nations League semi-final between Spain and Italy...
What a noise in Twente!
This game is hosted in FC Twente's 30,000-seat stadium and there's a great noise as kick-off approaches.
Next up the Spanish anthem. Judging by the sound there are a few more Italians in the De Grolsch Veste than there are Spaniards, but both sets of supporters are certainly making themselves heard.
Just minutes to go until kick-off now!
Italy have swapped their usual blue shirts for today, going instead for a white and gold number to mark 125 years of the country's international history. With four World Cup triumphs they are the second most successive team in the competition, a fact marks by four stars on their chest.
The players are out!
It's anthem time at the De Grolsch Veste, Twente. Italy are up first with a stirring rendition, every Italian in attendance seems to be belting out every single word.
We're nearly ready to go
It may be June, but the football fun never stops. It's Spain vs Italy in the semi-final of the Nations League with a spot in the final to be decided in the next couple of hours.
Which of the two European powerhouses will be victorious? We're about to find out...
Italy start with a back three to face Spain
This game has all the hallmarks of a fascinating internaitonal clash, but might be one that's a little low on goals. For all the quality in the two squads, both Spain and Italy have had troubles with their forward lines in recent years.
Alvaro Morata leads the line for Spain, and he with come up against an impressive Italian defensive unit. Leonardo Bonucci and Francesco Acerbi (pictured above) start alongside Rafael Toloi in a trio of central defenders.
Spain players check out the pitch at the De Grolsch Veste
There's just 20 minutes to go until kick-off between Spain and Italy and preparations are well underway at the De Groslch Veste stadium in the Netherlands. At the end of a gruelling season there is a place in the final of the Nations League up for grabs and both sides will be desperate to bounce back after a disappointing year at international level.
Shortly after Spain's embarrassing World Cup elimination at the hands of Morocco former head coach Luis Enrique was relieved of his duties with the national team. For his replacement, the Spanish federation opted to promote from within and named little-known Luis de la Fuente as his successor.
A hard-working left back, De la Fuente played 146 times for Athletic Bilbao, winning two league titles before moves to Sevilla and Alavés came either side of a return to Athletic.
Here's a lowdown on the Spain boss...
The Spanish midfield scored the winning goal. / PAUL ELLIS / AFP
Rodri in the Spain side, just days after UCL triumph
For much of this week it has seemed like Manchester City have been on one enormous end-of-season party. From Istanbul to Manchester, with a little trip to Ibiza for Jack Grealish, City players have been toasting the end of a famous season for the club.
Not Rodri, though! The metronomic midfielder keeps ticking along today, named in the starting XI to play Italy. Lets hope he's had a more chilled few days than the rest of his City teammates.
Italy to wear special 125th anniversary shirt against Spain
The Azzurri will be swapping their famous blue shirts for this white and gold number for today's game. Italy will be celebrating 125 years since their first international fixture when they take on Spain in the Netherlands. The four golden stars above the chest represent their four World Cup triumphs.
Both teams will be eager to progress to the UEFA Nations League final to give them a chance of bringing home some silverware after a tough season on the international stage. A Nations League victory would guarantee qualification for the 2024 European Championships and bring a winning feeling back to the side.
However it would also have quite significant financial benefits for the victorious team. We take a look at how much the Nations League title is worth...
And here's the Italy lineup
Roberto Mancini has opted to start with two of the Inter Milan players who featured against Manchester City in the Champions League final last weekend. Acerbi starts alongside captain Bonucci in the heart of the defence, while Barella plays in midfield alongside Arsenal's Jorginho.
Spain starting XI to face Italy
Here's confirmation of the Spain team to face Italy in the Nations League semi-final. Young Barcelona starlet Gavi starts behind national team captain Alvaro Morata up front, while Champions League final goal-scorer Rodri starts in midfield.
Looking for a way to watch or stream Spain vs Italy? We will have full minute-by-minute coverage right here on AS USA but you can also watch it live in a number of ways. Here's everything that you need to know...
Spain are here!
Luis de la Fuente's side have arrived in the De Grolsch Veste stadium for the game. The recently-appointed Spain boss looks relaxed as he enters the stadium, but he must know that there are already real question marks over his tenure as national team head coach.
Spain vs Italy: form guide
They may be two of the biggest names in the international game but both Spain and Italy are coming into the finals stage of this tournament in need of a win to get their faltering form back on track.
Spain crashed out of the 2022 World Cup at the hands of unfancied Morocco, and proceeded to lose 2-0 to Scotland in the next round of fixtures. Italy, meanwhile, failed to qualify for last year's World Cup, their second successive absence from the most important international competition
Here's how the two fared in their last five fixtures...
Spain last five results
March, 2023: Scotland 2-0 Spain
March, 2023: Spain 3-0 Norway
December, 2022: Morocco 0-0 Spain
December, 2022: Japan 2-1 Spain
November, 2022: Spain 1-1 Germany
Italy last five results
March, 2023: Malta 0-2 Italy
March, 2023: Italy 1-2 England
November, 2022: Austria 2-0 Italy
November, 2022: Albania 1-3 Italy
September, 2022: Hungary 0-2 Italy
Spain vs Italy: Live coverage
Welcome to AS USA, where we'll be bringing you live coverage of Spain vs Italy in the Nations League semi-final.
I'm Will Gittins and I'll be bringing you all the action from the De Grolsch Veste, Twente as two European powerhouses battle it out for a place in the final.
Away we go...