UEFA Nations League: Spain edge past Italy 2-1 to the Nations League Final

Joselu came off the bench to grab a late winner as Spain snatched a place in the Nations League final with a 2-1 win over Italy in Enschede.

The former Newcastle forward pounced two minutes from the end of a tight encounter on Thursday after a shot from Manchester City’s Champions League final match-winner Rodri was deflected into his path.

Spain had taken a third-minute lead through Yeremy Pino but Italy soon levelled with a penalty from Ciro Immobile.

Italy’s Davide Frattesi then had a goal chalked off for a narrow offside and Joselu had the final say, just four minutes after coming on. Pino gave Spain an instant advantage after robbing Italy captain Leonardo Bonucci on the edge of the area and firing past Gianluigi Donnarumma.

It was a lead that was soon erased as Italy were awarded a spot-kick seven minutes later after a shot from Nicolo Zaniolo was blocked by the arm of Robin Le Normand. Immobile made no mistake from 12 yards.

Italy were unfortunate not to be in front soon after as Frattesi finished superbly from a lofted Jorginho pass but VAR intervened.

Italy went close again before the break when Rafael Toloi volleyed just over and Spain had another chance when Alvaro Morata shot straight at Donnarumma. Rodri also came close in the second half to give Spain the elusive lead.

Rodri was named Player of the Match in Spain’s 2-1 win vs Italy in the #NationsLeague semi-finals tonight:

90 Minutes Played
120 Touches
104 Accurate Passes
96.3% Pass Accuracy
4 Key Passes
4 Accurate Long Balls
2 Ground Duels Won
1 Interception
1 Big Chance Created pic.twitter.com/WhcBgGrgkG

— City Xtra (@City_Xtra) June 15, 2023

But it was Joselu who got the deciding goal with just a couple of minutes left to play to take his team to the Final.

La Roja will now be taking on Croatia in the Final whereas Italy face the Netherlands for the third-place play-off.