FT: ITALY 1 - 1 SPAIN. Italy win on pens

[surge]

Italy have played a tournament in 3 locations which is the same Wales experienced in 4 games.

Based on last FIFA World Rankings before the tournament, Italy have now beaten the nations ranked 29th, 23rd, 17th, 13th 6th, and 1st. Their next game is against 10th or 4th.

Spain's toughest test before last night was Switzerland as 13th best and Croatia as 14th best which both went to extra time. They finished their tournament playing in 4 locations.

Both teams had played 3 out of 3 group games at home.

[Kind of Blue]

Although a fairly even game it did feel a little like once Italy scored they made some subs and tried to game manage a little bit too early in the game. To be fair, and unsurprisingly, that very high pressing/high intensity game is obviously hard to keep up for 90+mins for 6 games in a few weeks.

Spain played better than I anticipated and after conceding and their own goal to level it they looked like the likeliest to go on and win it in 90/120mins. Though Italy have easily looked the best team all round so far this tournament.

[dembethewarrior]

Italy have played a tournament in 3 locations which is the same Wales experienced in 4 games.

Based on last FIFA World Rankings before the tournament, Italy have now beaten the nations ranked 29th, 23rd, 17th, 13th 6th, and 1st. Their next game is against 10th or 4th.

Spain's toughest test before last night was Switzerland as 13th best and Croatia as 14th best which both went to extra time. They finished their tournament playing in 4 locations.

Both teams had played 3 out of 3 group games at home.

I've missed you Eric

[Moodybluebird]

If Spain had a goalscoring forward of note, based on last night's performance I don't think there is a side in Europe who could compete with them, regardless of what that genius Ferdinand thinks.

For most of the time they were brilliant, their passing sublime and Italy did well to hold them off, just. The game was good enough to be a final and it's a crying shame that one of the teams had to leave the competition.

[City123]

If Spain had a goalscoring forward of note, based on last night's performance I don't think there is a side in Europe who could compete with them, regardless of what that genius Ferdinand thinks.

For most of the time they were brilliant, their passing sublime and Italy did well to hold them off, just. The game was good enough to be a final and it's a crying shame that one of the teams had to leave the competition.

A couple of years and Spain will be even better. Simon, Pau Torres, Garcia, Rodri, Olmo, Pedri, Ferran Torres, Traore and Oyarzabal all 25 or under

[Moodybluebird]

A couple of years and Spain will be even better. Simon, Pau Torres, Garcia, Rodri, Olmo, Pedri, Ferran Torres, Traore and Oyarzabal all 25 or under

If they can find a player good enough to fill Busquets' role and a goalscorer, they will be as unstoppable as they were not that long ago. They proved last night what a wonderful football team they are....apart from the quite important aspect of scoring goals. And as you said they have enough young players to give them a sound foundation to build something special in the future. They do need to retain the services of Luis Enrique as manager though.