Italy is the next team in the quarter-finals, but fought until extra time against Austria

In the second semi-final, Italy and Austria faced off, with Mancini’s side expected to advance clearly. But the match went to extra time, where the Italians went through thanks to goals by Chiesa and Pessina.

Italy advanced out of their group with nine points and a score of 7: 0. The solid defensive team kept a clean sheet in all cases, not allowing the opponents too many chances.

Austria moved up from second place to first place behind the Netherlands after wins against North Macedonia (3::1) and Ukraine (1::0).

It was not difficult to see who would be the favourite in this duel. Italy hadn’t lost 30 games in a row before the eighth round, and Roberto Mancini’s charges had kept a clean sheet in their last 11 matches.

The Italians had the first chance. In the 17th minute, Nicolo Barella received a pass in the penalty area, but his shot was easily caught by Daniel Bachman.

In the 32nd minute, the goal was much closer. Ciro Immobile decided to shoot from distance, but his shot hit the left post. Nothing more happened until the end of the first half and the score was 0:0.

In the second half, the Austrians easily took the initiative. In the 52nd minute, David Alaba took a direct kick from just outside the sixteen, but his attempt went just inches over the crossbar.

In the 67th minute, Austria were able to celebrate. Alaba returned an overhit centre and Marko Arnautovic headed over Gianluigi Donnarumma. But their joy was thwarted by the video referee who found an offside. The score remained unchanged.

In the 75th minute, there was more commotion in the Italian penalty area. The Austrians demanded a penalty after a tackle on Konrad Laimer, the referee actually communicated with VAR, but in the end the whole situation was preceded by an offside, so no penalty kick was awarded. No goal was scored before the end of the second half and the game went into extra time.

The Italians took the lead very quickly. Leonardo Spinazzola sent a beautiful ball into the box to Federico Chiesa, who was wonderfully released and shot past Bachman. 1: 0 for Italy.

In the 105th minute, the Italians added a second goal. After a minor scramble in the Austrian penalty area, substitute Matteo Pessina found the ball and beat Bachman with a left-footed shot.

But in the 114th minute, the reduction came. Sasa Kalajdžić pounced on a Louis Shaub corner on the front post and sent it into the net with his head.

The Austrians could do no more and Italy were the second team to secure their place in the quarter-finals.

Source: UEFA