Ferran Torres inspires Spain into Nations League Final against Italy

 

Manchester City forward Ferran Torres Inspired the Spanish national team into the UEFA Nations League Final with a brace that downed European Champions Italy.

Italy who beat the Spaniards in the Semifinals of the Euros in July were hoping to replicate the feat of Portugal a couple of years ago when they added the maiden edition of the competition to their 2016 Euro Championships triumph.

However, the team’s defensive prowess, and unbeaten run went down the drain immediately Torres scored the opener in the 17th minute through after turning in Mikel Oryazabal’s cross.

The goal is his 11th in 17 appearances for the La Roja, he would go on to make it a dozen in first half stoppage time, moments after Italian defender Leonardo Bonucci was shown his second yellow card of the game and subsequently sent off.

The deficit for the Italians didn’t reflect on the score line and it was the Italians who got the third goal of the game through Juventus forward Federicho Chiesa’s pass which was turned in by Lorenzo Pellegrini with three minutes left on the clock.

However, it was too little too late for an equalizer as Spain got their pound of flesh for the Euro disappointment.

The defeat also ends Italy’s 37-game unbeaten run as Spain’s assembly of youngsters including Barcelona’s 17-year-old Gavi who becomes Spain’s youngest debutant.

The 2008 and 2012 Euro champions will now await Thursday’s second semifinal between Belgium and France in Turin before knowing their final opponents on Sunday at the San Siro.

Italy will face the loser of the second semifinal on Sunday in Turin.

Meanwhile, Belgium will hope to make it four wins in four games on Thursday, the Red Devils are in richer form than the World Cup champions who have drawn two and won just once in their last three.

 

Written by: Daniel Ademiju Idowu