News Archive

Under 21 European Championship

Spain 3 - Italy 1

A second half hat-trick from Saúl Ñíguez took Spain’s under 21 side in to next Friday’s European championship final! The Atlético Madrid midfielder combined with Dani Ceballos to open the scoring some eight minutes after the break, and although Gagliardini was sent off for a second bookable offence soon afterwards, Bernardeschi levelled it for Italy a few minutes later with a shot which took a deflection off Vallejo. Before all that though Spain keeper Kepa had to make several saves, in particular from Chiesa, Pellegrini and Petagna before the interval, but some twenty minutes in to the second half Saúl beat Donnarumma with a shot from outside of the area, and some ten minutes later he connected with Asensio’s cross to score again, taking his tally for the finals to five. Albert Celades’ side will now face Germany on Friday evening after they beat England on penalties in the other semi-final. (27.06.17)