Watch: Substitute Joselu scores late winner as Spain beat Italy 2-1, storm into Nations League closing

The midfielder whose aim in Istanbul secured Manchester City’s first Champions League title on Saturday performed one other key function as Spain beat European champion Italy 2-1 on Thursday to advance to the Nations League closing in opposition to Luka Modric’s Croatia on Sunday.

“I’m thrilled with my year,” Rodri stated. “It’s been a huge effort — with the World Cup and winning the historic treble with Manchester City and now we’re in the (Nations League) final.”

With additional time looming, Rodri’s deflected shot fell to substitute Joselu within the 88th minute and the Espanyol striker — who was solely simply onside — turned within the winner from shut vary at FC Twente Stadium.

“I didn’t actually celebrate too much because I wasn’t sure it would count,” Rodri stated. “Joselu got into the space. He scored a really important goal for us.”

It is a second likelihood for Spain, which reached the Nations League closing in 2021 — beating Italy within the semifinals earlier than dropping to France.

It additionally was a turnaround in fortunes for Spain coach Luis de la Fuente, who changed Luis Enrique after the World Cup in Qatar. He entered the match underneath strain after his first two matches in cost have been a hard-fought victory in opposition to a Norway group lacking Erling Haaland and a 2-0 loss to Scotland.

“We just needed time,” he stated. “I’ve always said that this is a process and it takes time to establish ideas. It takes time in training. We were unlucky that day.”

Spain had opened the scoring within the third minute when veteran Italy captain Leonardo Bonucci was tackled by Gavi and dispossessed by Yeremy Pino, who then calmly fired previous Gianluigi Donnarumma for his second worldwide aim.

But Ciro Immobile hit again rapidly for Italy, changing an Eleventh-minute penalty after Nicolo Zaniolo hit a robust shot that hit the arm of France-born Real Sociedad defender Robin Le Normand, who was making his debut for La Roja.

Spain takes on Croatia in Rotterdam on Sunday within the closing whereas Italy will face hosts the Netherlands within the third-fourth match additionally in Enschede.

Davide Frattesi thought he had put Italy forward within the twenty second after operating onto a protracted cross by Jorginho and slotting a low shot by way of the legs of Unai Simón, however the effort was dominated offside.

The crowd at FC Twente stadium within the jap Dutch metropolis of Enschede was far quieter than the raucous Croatia supporters who roared their aspect to a 4-2 victory over hosts the Netherlands. The exception was Spain followers typically calling on Rodri to shoot. They bought their want within the 88th minute when his effort arrange the winner.

While 37-year-old Luka Modric starred in Croatia’s victory, Bonucci — one 12 months youthful — couldn’t make amends for his early error and was substituted at halftime.

In his absence of Italy’s defensive talisman, Spain began the second time period strongly and twice got here near taking the lead.

“We dropped off too much in the second half. Absolutely,” Italy coach Roberto Mancini stated.

Donnarumma denied Mikel Merino with save within the forty ninth minute. Morata then gathered the rebound along with his again to the aim, however shot simply vast.

Three minutes later, Rodri related with an acrobatic effort that sailed simply over the bar after Donnarumma weakly punched away a Jordi Alba free kick.

Italy got here near taking the lead within the sixty fifth minute, however Unai Simon’s reflex save denied Davide Frattesi a aim.

Mancini lamented the shortage of world class forwards at his disposal.

“For a while now, Italy have been lacking some forwards, I don’t know why,” he stated.

The match began with a second’s silence for Silvio Berlusconi, the previous Italian premier and proprietor of AC Milan who died Monday.