Spain set aside European champions Italy and be the first to reach the Nations League final | Spain reached the final of the Nations League

La Squadra Azzurra vs La Roja, talk about a nice warm-up for Belgium and France. Day in and day out, three months after penalty shootouts at Wembley, European champions Italy faced the toughest customer they faced on their way to winning the European Championship in Milan tonight.

And whether Roberto Mancini’s Invincible – meanwhile 37 games (!) unbeaten in a row – was the frontrunner against Spain. In the midst of a wonderful summer of football, Italy went in search of “Un’altra corona”. Another crown, another award, and seventh in all. Mancini had withdrawn: “We want to remain undefeated until December 2022.” In order to equalize the Germans – the European record holder with eight major prizes provided they win the Nations League and in Qatar. It turned out a little differently.

From the start, Luis Enrique Spain, still heavily criticized for his selection policy, took matters into his own hands. Soon with an open chance for Oyarzabal and a goal from Ferran Torres’ man. A duo that made us, with Sarabia, forget the absence of Morata, Moreno, Pedri and Dani Olmo.

How loud the Italian national anthem was at the half-filled San Siro, where the legendary temple was after a quarter of an hour of calm. A big blow to the Italians who did not get a foothold in the first stage. Half a miracle prevented him from being instantly converted to 0-2. Donnarumma, who was whistled by several Milanese on the field, fired Alonso’s shot that slipped from his hands against the crossbar.

Italy would beep every once in a while, it was a bit of a search without the absentee Immobile. Although Insigne (2x) and Bernardeschi came very close to scoring after half an hour. The Azzurri grew, until Bonucci got a second yellow card in the 42nd minute. Ferran Torres headed into the far lower corner before the half-time signal, once again with a cross from Sociedad striker Oyarzabal. His sixth in seven international matches, immediately the Nations League end of the European champion.

Luis Enrique, who was right, immediately looked back at Sunday – Torres was allowed to return soon after the change of camp. Having already started as the youngest Spaniard ever with 17-year-old Javi, he has thrown in another youngster with Pino (18), a talent from Villarreal. Where Spain had 62 percent of the ball halfway through, only that percentage rose. It was like flashbacks to Spain ten years ago. Therefore, untouchable and with plenty, the Spaniards knocked the European champions out of the tournament yesterday. Oyarzabal and Alonso missed many chances. The national coach threw another youngster with 20-year-old Brian Gill…as if he was laughing at the Spanish press. Even after Pellegrini’s unexpected calling target, La Roja didn’t flinch.

What a statement from the Spaniards – who would have thought that? Or how Spain instantly went from being the Wild Four to being one of the big candidates. Starring Ferran Torres and Oyarzabal in the lead role. With young talents like Gavi and Pino, experienced hands like Busquets and full backs – Alonso and Azpilicueta. Yesterday one by one in a great job. The Renaissance of Spain, or so it looked at San Siro. It is where our Red Devils on Sunday, should they also take revenge tonight for a losing semi-final in a major tournament, have a very difficult task ahead.