UEFA NATIONS LEAGUE: Ferran Torres brace advance Spain to the final

Spain ended 10-man Italy’s record of 37 international matches unbeaten to reach the UEFA Nations League Final after a 2-1 win at the San Siro courtesy of Ferran Torres’ double.

Earning his first cap for Spain, Gavi became the visitors’ youngest-ever senior international aged just 17 years and 62 days. Mikel Oyarzabal played a key part in the opener on 17 minutes, producing a give-and-go with Marcos Alonso, before whipping in a glorious delivery for Torres. The Manchester City forward cushioned home a volley off Gianluigi Donnarumma’s post for his third goal in as many games for ‘La Roja’ and only the second conceded by ‘Gli Azzurri’ in their last 11 home encounters.

From the restart, Luis Enrique’s men almost doubled their lead when Alonso tried his luck from just outside the area. Donnarumma – who was regularly booed by the crowd after leaving AC Milan this summer – spilled the Chelsea man’s effort against the woodwork before Leonardo Bonucci cleared. Italy almost equalised on 36 minutes when Jorginho slipped in Emerson Palmieri, and he squared perfectly for Lorenzo Insigne, who shockingly skewed his attempt wide.

The hosts’ task became harder when Bonucci received a second yellow card after leading with an elbow in an aerial challenge with Sergio Busquets. His recklessness was punished on the stroke of HT, as Oyarzabal put the ball on a plate once more for Torres, who brilliantly headed in a floated cross.

Federico Chiesa struck Unai Simón’s left-hand post just after the hour mark before 18-year-old debutant Yeremi Pino showed his trickery to tee up fellow substitute Bryan Gil, but the Tottenham youngster’s strike was well saved by Donnarumma. The Villarreal teenager unfortunately played a part in Italy halving the deficit as he tried to head back to Pau Torres on the halfway line, with Chiesa nipping in to intercept and charging clear, before laying off Lorenzo Pellegrini to slide home.

Spain ultimately weathered the storm, avenging the Euro 2020 Semi-Final heartbreak three months earlier against the eventual tournament winners, as Italy tasted defeat for the first time in more than three years. Enrique’s side can now look forward to Sunday’s final, where they will face Belgium or France, who play each other on Th