Defending champions Spain are through to the final of the European Under-21 Championship after comfortably beating Norway 3-0 in Netanya, Israel, yesterday.
The Spaniards came into the semi-final as a heavy favourite after winning their three group games without conceding a goal and their class told as goals from Rodrigo, Isco and Alvaro Morata sealed victory.
In Tuesday’s final, three-time champions Spain will meet Italy who left it late to beat Holland 1-0 in a balanced last-four clash at the Hamoshava stadium in Petah Tikva, last night.
The Spaniards had their tails up and eventually took the lead on the stroke of half-time through Rodrigo.
Thiago Alcantara swung in a corner which was headed into the air by a defender and, when Marc Bartra won the second header, he flicked the ball into the path of Rodrigo who volleyed past keeper Orjan Haskjold Nyland with the outside of his left foot.
Norway had a chance to equalise with five minutes remaining as Vegar Eggen Hedenstad’s set piece created confusion in the box but when the ball fell to Stefan Strandberg the centre-half could only put his shot over the bar from six yards out.
The result was put beyond doubt in the 87th minute as Isco showed sublime skill to double the lead.
And in the third minute of time added on Morata continued his record of scoring in every game of the tournament as he saw his initial shot saved by Nyland before curling in the rebound from a seemingly impossible angle.
Borini winner
The last time Italy had played Holland at Under-21 level was in August last year when the Azzurrini won the match 3-0.
However, this semi-final was a different proposition as the Dutch saw more of the ball in the opening half and pressed hard for an early opened only for Adam Maher’s free-kick to bounce off the woodwork.
Italy’s first chance came on the half-hour when Ciro Immobile, put through by Fabio Borini, had his effort stopped by keeper Jeroen Zoet.
Just before half-time, Borini hit wide with only Zoet to beat and at the other end another Maher free-kick curled just wide.
The Italians, winners of the U-21 tournament for five times, looked a better lot after the break and rarely risked conceding a goal.
Then, with 11 minutes left, Borini found space inside the opponents’ box before hitting his shot past Zoet for the goal that sent Italy into the final.