Well, after 120 minutes of scintillating action plus penalties we finally know the identity of one of the teams in the final of Euro 2020.
This one had everything, with some even tipping it as one of the best games ever played at the new Wembley.
Football. ??#VivoAzzurro #EURO2020 #ITA #ITAESP pic.twitter.com/AaMc0ZCVK1
— Italy ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (@azzurri) July 6, 2021
That is going to hurt but Spain and Luis Enrique have done themselves proud. So many positives to take from this tournament with an exciting group of players, who will only grow and improve.
— Get Spanish Football News (@GSpanishFN) July 6, 2021
We were very harsh once Luis Enrique announced his 26 (well 24) man squad for the Euros.
In the end though, he proved us and a lot of people wrong. Spain were phenomenal all tournament long and despite lacking a goal scorer, put on a fantastic showing. pic.twitter.com/ZXlYy7lW1K
— EiF (@EiFSoccer) July 6, 2021
Spain were the better side tonight and deserved to win, but if you look at the tournament as a whole, Italy are more deserving of being in the final.
— sm (@TacticoModerno) July 6, 2021
Italy are a class side. And the best way to appreciate that is how many different ways they can play. They beat Belgium with a possession-oriented approach in the 1st half, then a low block in the 2nd half. They then completely flipped that into lethal counter-attacking vs Spain.
— Premier League Panel (@PremLeaguePanel) July 6, 2021
Before the on-field action got underway we were treated to one of highlights of the tournament – the return of the little car from the opening ceremony.
If people were not hyped already, the emergence of the miniature automobile ensured they were shaking with excitement by the time things got going.
The Italian anthem, and the return of the little car. This is already a 10/10 match. #ITAESP
— Phillip Horton (@PHortonF1) July 6, 2021
“I like your little car” pic.twitter.com/qIHyTvxMJE
— Tim (@CookPassTim) July 6, 2021
LITTLE CAR
— Sean Walsh (@SeanDZWalsh) July 6, 2021
“There’s that little car again” is up there with “they think it’s all over, it is now” in terms of elite tier international commentary. Said what we were all thinking and perfectly captured the emotion of the moment #ITAESP
— Tommy Stewart (@tomandrewstew) July 6, 2021
Over the moon to see the tiny car back. A long drive from the opening game in Rome. A wonderful moment for football.
— Max Rushden ? (@maxrushden) July 6, 2021
A TINY CAR FOR ALL OF EUROPE
— Chris Deeley (@ThatChris1209) July 6, 2021
Me going from seeing the little car to hearing Danny Murphy is co-commentating #ITAESP pic.twitter.com/OzBLB0FvOh
— Neil Miles (@neilsmiles) July 6, 2021
“There’s that little car again” is Euro 2020’s ultimate commentary line. The one that’ll be played to us again and again in decades to come. Goosebumps every time.
— Matt Tate (@MattWTate) July 6, 2021
The opening 20 minutes was a stunning exhibition of technical football. Italy looked threatening at times, particularly down the left.
Spain edged things for the most part, though, thanks mainly to the incredible exploits of Pedri. The youngster was gliding in between the lines and craved out several top chances for his side. His display got social media purring.
Look at the vision, execution and timing of that Pedri pass to Oyarzabal.Those are the qualities of a generational talent. ❤️? pic.twitter.com/2lQELhWfxK
— Kelvin ? (@KelvinObed4) July 6, 2021
Pedri is 18 years of age, playing in his first international tournament and is showing levels. Unbelievable talent.
— Hajir?? (@HajirFT) July 6, 2021
20/20 accurate passes in first 25 minutes. Pedri so good more than his age. pic.twitter.com/gf7tLgMIMY
— ?????? ????? (@CameloBarca) July 6, 2021
Pedri is actually insane mane, the confidence, control and quality he has is crazy
— Siavoush Fallahi (@SiavoushF) July 6, 2021
World class ???? Pedri will be the best playmaker in the next coming years ?? he’s only 18 ?? pic.twitter.com/ZCrGjaa1pp
— No One Else But Me ? (@Ndobe_Bibow) July 6, 2021
Pedri under huge pressure in his own half in the semifinal of an European Championship backheels it to Busi. Like it’s no big deal. God, this child.
— Diana Kristinne (@DianaKristinne) July 6, 2021
Pedri. That’s it. That’s the tweet.
— Dennise (@fcbden_) July 6, 2021
Pedri these last 30 seconds ?
— tariq panja (@tariqpanja) July 6, 2021
Pedri is soooo good. Absolute superstar in the making. Gorgeous footballer.
— Gary Lineker ? (@GaryLineker) July 6, 2021
Technical level on show in this midfield is absurd. #ESP are sparkling ✨
— Sam Tighe – Ranks FC Podcast (@stighefootball) July 6, 2021
The remainder of the second half was equally enthralling, although not everyone on social media agreed.
The only thing the game lacked was a goal to get people out of their seat.
100% – Pedri González ?? has completed all 31 of his passes against Italy ?? (22 in the opposite half), the only player with 100% passing accuracy in this first half. Masterful. pic.twitter.com/l4hfr0cWUe
— OptaJose (@OptaJose) July 6, 2021
Emerson proved to be Italy’s biggest threat in the first half! ?? pic.twitter.com/BlzGRys4J7
— 90min (@90min_Football) July 6, 2021
Ferran Torres in the first half vs. Italy:
3 attempted take-ons 3 successful take-ons 3 fouls won
A danger throughout. ?? pic.twitter.com/F0D3IwKXWt
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) July 6, 2021
England fans taking over Italy vs Spain at Wembley singing “it’s coming home” and getting plenty of boos for it ?
— Football Shithousery (@FootyRustling) July 6, 2021
England watching and hoping they don’t get neither Italy nor Spain in the Final #ITAESP pic.twitter.com/z68JjOzFGE
— Mafatshe??? (@ThinTallOfentse) July 6, 2021
HT: Italy (0.07) 0-0 (0.69) Spain
— The xG Philosophy (@xGPhilosophy) July 6, 2021
Busquets is such a brilliant midfield conductor. It’s not just the spaces he occupies, but also the timing of his movements. His ability to show for support, hold positioning or drift from the ball makes the game so much easier for his teammates.
— Eric Laurie (@EricLaurie) July 6, 2021
Passes in the 1st half of Italy vs Spain
Verratti, Jorginho, Barella = 35
Sergio Busquets alone = 35
Phenomenal midfielder, one of the best ever ??? pic.twitter.com/QoaZIBUDwj
— Jack Bryant (@JackBryantt) July 6, 2021
After the break the game continued to demand attention and with 15 minutes gone we were finally treated to a goal.
Federico Chiesa was the scorer, picking up a loose ball in the box before curling a stunning effort past Unai Simon.
Chiesa once Italy broke on the counter attack into Spain ‘s half. Boom! #ITAESP pic.twitter.com/eI8ip9ZH7K
— E (@iamOkon) July 6, 2021
Chiesa as soon as he got the ball#ItalyVsSpainSemis #ITAESP pic.twitter.com/9XRXXcgGh3
— T.A (@uniteddude_) July 6, 2021
Federico Chiesa has been the best Player of the Tournament…What a Wonderful Strike from Him ?? pic.twitter.com/zqI4Sf7WJE
— JEFF TYMER????????? (@Jeff_Tymer_) July 6, 2021
Federico Chiesa has now scored more goals at the European Champions (2) than his dad Enrico. ?????? pic.twitter.com/PWrCHCff27
— CORROSIVE RULE ??? (@CorrosiveRules) July 6, 2021
So Italy score first with a superb finish from Chiesa. Cattenacio o’clock.
— Gary Lineker ? (@GaryLineker) July 6, 2021
Federico Chiesa lovingly embracing his dog #ITA pic.twitter.com/ecs4GEqIdz
— Footballers with animals (@ftbllrswanimals) July 6, 2021
Half-baked theory: Chiesa has a healthy entitlement that shows in these big moments, and that feels like a hereditary quality and the result of growing up with a dad who played professionally.
— Seb Stafford-Bloor (@SebSB) July 6, 2021
Now that’s a counter attack.
Federico Chiesa, take a bow.
— Ryan. ? (@Vintage_Utd) July 6, 2021
Literally seconds after the goal Spain squandered a golden chance to equalise when Mikel Oyarzabal somehow failed to make contact with Koke’s terrific cross.
Twitter… was not kind.
Could’ve tweeted this in every Spain game this tournament, but genuinely no one wants to score easy chances.
Morata, Gerard Moreno, Koke, and now Oyarzabal have all missed just clear, clear chances.
— EiF (@EiFSoccer) July 6, 2021
If Oyarzabal is not putting his head on a cross for fear of making a gulf between Spain’s xG and their actual goals all I can say is the train may have left the station on that one chief
— James Benge (@jamesbenge) July 6, 2021
Oyarzabal has actually had a shocker
— niran (@TheOfficialFNG) July 6, 2021
? – Mikel Oyarzabal with a big miss… pic.twitter.com/GGy9Mzbg8X
— ??? ???? ? (@TheEuropeanLad) July 6, 2021
oyarzabal gotta go sit down in a dark corner and think about some things. that’s TWO buddy!!!
— Aaron West (@oeste) July 6, 2021
Thankfully he was absolved of his sins by the introduction of Alvaro Morata from the bench. After missing a great chance himself, the Juventus striker finished off a terrific, free-flowing move to equalise.
What a moment for the much-maligned Morata.
photo of the most shocked man in the world after Morata scored pic.twitter.com/rfrHp7G5X9
— Men in Blazers (@MenInBlazers) July 6, 2021
Need so start seeing you morata apology letters pic.twitter.com/KKQU3xXQPZ
— Abdallah?️♂️ (@ablz13) July 6, 2021
Morata scores such important goals but is so baddd. I guess God has a sense of humor
— Agnes (@JerDurgah) July 6, 2021
That Spain equaliser was typical Morata at his finest.
Run, control and finishing was class ?? pic.twitter.com/9SofyFAn3e
— Ishola Ibrahim Damilola (@damilola2i) July 6, 2021
Alvaro Morata enjoyed that one ?
He is now the leading goal scorer all-time for Spain at the EURO’s ? pic.twitter.com/vYRlIQJYs3
— International Champions Cup (@IntChampionsCup) July 6, 2021
Italy might have the pasta but Morata has the sauce.? pic.twitter.com/uRqIQHNmIX
— AU? (@parteyismo) July 6, 2021
But Professor, what if Italy scores first?
Professor: That’s when Morata comes in#ITAESP pic.twitter.com/qtesSPfJJw
— Saish (@Saish73079067) July 6, 2021
Spain’s top goal scorer at the Euros:
Torres ❌ Villa ❌Raul ❌
Morata ✅ pic.twitter.com/wc21CmW6t4
— FootballFunnys (@FootballFunnnys) July 6, 2021
This took the game to extra-time and after neither side could find a breakthrough we were then treated to penalties.
Although some users stayed off Twitter to maintain the suspense, others were more than happy to give a running commentary of proceedings.
Semi-final penalties.
I’ll drink to that. ? pic.twitter.com/rHDQNuFvPd
— A View from the Euros (@TheTerraceTV) July 6, 2021
Penalties you say?! ?
This tournament has delivered the DRAMA ? pic.twitter.com/iTV9lD3Dlx
— International Champions Cup (@IntChampionsCup) July 6, 2021
Penalties it is. Exciting I know but I’ve gone off them a bit. #ITA #ESP
— Martyn Ziegler (@martynziegler) July 6, 2021
If anyone says penalties are a ‘lottery,’ I will be very cross. This is now the ultimate test of nerve, courage, skill and stamina
— ALASTAIR CAMPBELL (@campbellclaret) July 6, 2021
Morata in a penalty shoot out?! ?
— Carl Anka (@Ankaman616) July 6, 2021
Fancy Italy on pens simply because @gigiodonna1. #EURO2020
— Dale O’Donnell (@ODonnellDale) July 6, 2021
After Extra Time:
Italy (0.63) 1-1 (1.77) Spain
— The xG Philosophy (@xGPhilosophy) July 6, 2021
The shootout got off to a terrible start with Manuel Locatelli and Olmo missing the opening spot kicks. This was followed by four flawless penalties and another fine finish from Federico Bernardeschi.
Then, up stepped Morata. God, you already know what’s coming don’t you. Social media certainly did…
His miss allowed Jorginho to book Italy a meeting with England (or Denmark) in the final of Euro 2020.
This mf knew Morata had to step up pic.twitter.com/VnpTnB1Vww
— Liam O’?? (@TanguyNdembele) July 6, 2021
Never has there been a more “he’s definitely missing” face walking up for a pen than that of Morata there.#ITAESP #EURO2020 pic.twitter.com/hHGNZFwgUW
— ً (@tyIerthecreatoe) July 6, 2021
The Spain squad when Enrique said Morata was taking pen 4 pic.twitter.com/V2xJMzqFK0
— Average Striker (@AverageStriker) July 6, 2021
Ramos watching morata miss that penalty for Spain knowing he would score easily and knock Italy out pic.twitter.com/2wHD1lDrnJ
— Fitzy ?? (@fitzgibbon_max) July 6, 2021
Only Morata could come on, equalise and then send them out by missing a penalty #ITAESP pic.twitter.com/g3AWJmu7hI
— Owen (@OwenHarries6) July 6, 2021
Morata gave us hope then snatched it away like nobody’s business pic.twitter.com/xdJKOQwrJB
— Rixtchi ???? (@Rixtchi) July 6, 2021
Me after putting my life savings on Morata missing his pen pic.twitter.com/RVYbEp4MEE
— TGJ (@thatguysjokes) July 6, 2021
Football! Spain were brilliant for most of that I thought. No idea they could play that well. Maybe if they’d started Morata it wouldn’t have gone to pens. But what are you gonna do.
— Jack Pitt-Brooke (@JackPittBrooke) July 6, 2021
