Spain follows Croatia into the Nations League final: Ex-Bundesliga professional Joslu stands out as a later joker

Real estate goal for Italy too little

Thanks to former Bundesliga pro Joselu, Spain has reached the final of the Nations League finals in the Netherlands for the second time since 2021. In Enschede, the Spaniards beat Italy 2-1 (1-1) on Thursday evening. After Yéremy Pino put the Spaniards ahead in the third minute, ex-Dortmund Ciro Immobile equalized with a penalty eight minutes later. However, with two minutes remaining, Joselu clinched Spain’s winner. Spain beat Italy 2-1 in the semifinals two years ago, but then lost 2-1 to France in the final.

The Spaniards will meet Croatia in the final in Rotterdam on Sunday (8.45 p.m. / RTL and DAZN). The third in the World Cup won a spectacular game 4-2 after extra time against the hosts the Netherlands on Wednesday. Luka Modric and Co. can continue to hope for their first major title. For Italy, on the other hand, only the meaningless game for third place against the Netherlands in Enschede remains on Sunday (3 p.m. / DAZN).

The Spaniards got off to a better start in the FC Twente stadium. In the third minute, Pino gave new coach Luis de la Fuente’s team the lead after a blunder by Italy’s veteran Leonardo Bonucci. But the joy of the Spaniards, who had to do without the injured Leipzig player Dani Olmo, did not last long. Only eight minutes later, the ex-Dortmunder Immobile equalized with a converted hand penalty. In the middle of the first half, the Italians even briefly celebrated the lead. Davide Frattesi’s goal was disallowed for offside.

After the change of sides, the game flattened out more and more. For Spain, ex-Dortmunder Mikel Merino had the best chance of taking the lead again (48th). On the Italian side, Fratessi failed because of the strongly reacting Spanish goalkeeper Unai Simón (65th). Everything looked like extra time, but then Joselu struck.

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