Euro 2020: Italy had to work hard for victory on Saturday in the round of 16 at Wembley Stadium by a spirited Austrian team. Substitute Chiesa and Pessina’s goals gave Roberto Mancini’s side an unbeaten streak of 31 games.
Euro 2020: Italy extend unbeaten streak to 31 games, reach quarter (Reuters Photo)
HIGHLIGHTS
- Italy had to work hard for Austria to win 2-1
- Italy built their unbeaten streak to a record 31 games
- Italy will face winners Portugal against Belgium in the quarter-finals on Friday
Italy kept their nerve and secured a place in the quarter-finals at Euro 2020 after beating a spirited Austrian team 2-1 in the last 16 at Wembley Stadium on Saturday. Substitutes’ goals Federico Chiesa and Matteo Pessina scored in extra time as Italy showed off their banking strength in a tough duel in London.
Roberto Mancini’s team broke their national record with their victory in the round of 16 and extended their winning streak to 31 games. The streak of eleven clean sheets came to an end when Gianluigi Donnarumma was finally beaten when Kalajdzic took one back for Austria with a stunning header in the second period of extra time.
Euro 2020: Round of 16 highlights
Italy will now face the winner of the eagerly awaited round of 16 match between defending champions Portugal and Belgium in Munich on Friday.
SCENES at Wembley Stadium!
Matteo Pessina # EURO2020 pic.twitter.com/Em10KrZTfq
– UEFA EURO 2020 (@ EURO2020) June 26, 2021
Roberto Mancini got his tactics to the point, even when a spirited Austrian team stretched them. Franco Foda’s men knew they couldn’t hold the Italian team back by leaning back and defending, so they played a brave football and tested the Italian defense, which Chiellini missed with a hamstring injury.
The star of the game was undoubtedly Spinazzola, who threatened the Austrian defense with his run from behind on the left. Spinazzola provided the template by giving Chiesa a great ball in extra time.
VAR denies Arnautovic’s goal
Italy got off to a strong start and hit the post with a powerful shot from Ciro Immobile in the 32nd minute. But Austria, who were aiming for their first win against Italy in 62 years, became bolder after the break and shot the ball into the net through Marko Arnautovic, only that his header was offside in the 65th minute after a VAR check.
In extra time, however, they ran out of breath early on, which left Chiesa far too much time and space in the 95th to control a Leonardo Spinazzola cross in the penalty area and shoot home from a tight angle.
But Austria didn’t give up after 2-0 in extra time as they kept pushing the ball into the Italian penalty area and forcing Donnarumma to make some nice saves. In the end, Austria stayed too short on Saturday, but after this overwhelming performance against one of the tournament favorites, they can keep their heads high.
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