Ferran Torres Brace Inspires Spain To End Italy's 37-Match Unbeaten Streak
7th October 2021
Italy's unbeaten run stretches back to 2018, meaning they've gone two full calendar years without losing a game
- Ferran Torres stole the show with a brace as Spain beat Italy 2-1 to book a place in the UEFA Nations League final.
- The Manchester City forward scored both his goals in the first half as Spain ended Italy's impeccable 37-match unbeaten streak
- Spain will now face either top-ranked Belgium or World champions France, who will lock horns in the second semi on Thursday night at the Juventus Stadium
Ferran Torres stole the show with a brace as Spain beat Italy 2-1 to book a place in the UEFA Nations League final.
The Manchester City forward scored both his goals in the first half as Spain ended Italy's impeccable 37-match unbeaten streak.
Italy's unbeaten run stretches back to 2018, meaning they've gone two full calendar years without losing a game.
Their last defeat came at the hands of Euro 2016 winners Portugal in the Nations League on Monday 10 September 2018.
The world-record unbeaten run looked to be in jeopardy from the start after conceding in the 17th minute, before veteran Leonardo Bonucci was sent off three minutes before the break.
He was replaced early in the second half by teenage debutant Yeremi Pino, presumably with a knock.
This was Torres' 11th international goal since September last year, six more than anybody else in Luis Enrique's side.
Spain handed 17-year-old Barcelona midfielder Gavi a start, making him the youngest international in their history.
Italy looked dead and buried until Lorenzo Pellegrini's late goal after a wonderful Federico Chiesa run on a counter-attack - but could not find an unmerited equaliser.
Spain will now face either top-ranked Belgium or World champions France, who will lock horns in the second semi on Thursday night at the Juventus Stadium.