Joselu sendsout Spain to Nations League last with late winner vs. Italy

Substitute Joselu scored an 88th-minute winner and Spain beat Italy 2-1 on Thursday at FC Twente Stadium to set up a conference with Croatia in the Nations League last on Sunday (2: 45 p.m. ET on FOX).

The Espanyol striker was simply onside as he turned in a deflected shot by Rodri 4 minutes after changing Alvaro Morata to avoid the 2nd Nations League semifinal from going to additional time.

It is a 2nd opportunity for Spain, which reached the Nations League last in 2021 — pounding Italy in the semifinals — however lost to France.

Spain had opened the scoring in the 3rd minute when veteran Italy captain Leonardo Bonucci was dealtwith by Gavi and dispossessed by Yeremy Pino, who then calmly fired past Gianluigi Donnarumma for his 2nd worldwide objective.

But Ciro Immobile hit back rapidly for Italy, converting an 11th-minute charge after Nicolo Zaniolo hit a effective shot that hit the arm of France-born Real Sociedad protector Robin Le Normand, who was making his launching for La Roja.

Spain takes on Croatia in Rotterdam on Sunday in the last while Italy will face hosts the Netherlands in the third-fourth match likewise in Enschede.

Davide Frattesi idea he had put Italy ahead in the 22nd after running onto a long pass by Jorginho and slotting a low shot through the legs of Unai Simón, however the effort was ruled offside.

The crowd at FC Twente arena in the eastern Dutch city of Enschede was far quieter than the raucous Croatia advocates who roared their side to a 4-2 triumph over hosts the Netherlands. The exception was Spain fans typically calling on Rodri to shoot obviously after seeing his winning objective for Manchester City in the Champions League last. They got their desire in the 88th minute when his effort set up the winner.

While 37-year-old Luka Modric starred in Croatia’s triumph, Bonucci — one year moreyouthful — might not make modifies for his early mistake and was replaced at halftime.

In his lack of Italy’s defensive talisman, Spain began the 2nd term highly and twotimes came close to taking the lead.

Donnarumma rejected Mikel Merino with a great conserve in the 49th minute. Morata then collected the rebound with his back to the objective, however shot simply wide.

Three minutes lateron, Rodri linked with an acrobatic effort that cruised simply over the bar after Donnarumma weakly punched away a Jordi Alba totallyfree kick.

Italy came close to taking the lead in the 65th minute, however Unai Simon’s reflex conserve rejected Davide Frattesi a objective.

The match began with a minute’s silence for Silvio Berlusconi, the previous Italian premier and owner of AC Milan who passedaway Monday.

Reporting by The Associated Press.