Spain’s defeat on penalties against Italy will live long in Alvaro Morata’s memory for all the wrong reasons after his decisive failure from the penalty spot, but La Roja would not even have reached extra time without the striker’s historic goal.
Roberto Mancini’s Azzurri seemed headed for the final thanks to Federico Chiesa’s splendid goal, but Morata – who entered the second half – drew in the 80th minute to force extra time.
Morata had been eliminated by the starting eleven after being withdrawn at the start of the second half of the quarter-final against Switzerland.
Although the striker, on loan to Juventus from Atletico Madrid, had been a regular source of frustration in Euro 2020, with his six Opta-defined big chances being more missed than any other player in the tournament, that decision nevertheless came. as something like a surprise given the loyal support of Luis Enrique.
The coach seemed to be betting on the dynamism of Dani Olmo, Ferran Torres and Mikel Oyarzabal which caused problems for Italy’s aging pair of center-backs, but with Spain chasing the match he turned to the much-maligned striker.
Morata claimed his introduction, with his handsome goal leading him to three for Euro 2020 and six in all European Championship tournaments, setting a new record for La Roja.
His confident left-footed finish moves Morata ahead of Fernando Torres in this regard, while also making him the second player in Euro history to score three or more in more editions of the competition after Cristiano Ronaldo.
But Morata saw his penalty shot saved by Gianluigi Donnarumma on penalties, the Italy goalkeeper dived to his left to easily keep the weak attempt at bay. Jorginho coolly took home his effort moments later to send the Azzurri to the final.