Substitutes Federico Chiesa and Matteo Pessina struck in extra-time as Italy beat battling Austria 2-1 to reach the quarter-finals of Euro ...
Substitutes Federico Chiesa and Matteo Pessina struck in extra-time as Italy beat battling Austria 2-1 to reach the quarter-finals of Euro 2020 at Wembley on Saturday.
The two teams were locked at 0-0 after 90 minutes in London, with Italy enjoying the better of the first half and Austria coming back strongly in the second period.
But Chiesa made the crucial breakthrough early in extra-time and another goal from Pessina set up a quarter-final against the winners of Sunday’s tie between Belgium and holders Portugal, despite late drama.
🔥 Matteo Pessina beats two players with a smart turn 🇮🇹@HisenseSports | #EUROSkills | #EURO2020 pic.twitter.com/E0Aeclqke2
— UEFA EURO 2020 (@EURO2020) June 26, 2021
🇮🇹 SCENES after the Azzurri made it 12 consecutive wins and sealed a quarter-final spot! 🥳@azzurri | #EURO2020 pic.twitter.com/TJamvBpPhv
— UEFA EURO 2020 (@EURO2020) June 26, 2021
“We knew we had to suffer because Austria are the typical side who do not allow (you) to play well,” said Italy boss Roberto Mancini.
“The substitutes made the difference for us, but everybody gave their best tonight. I’m happy because the lads gave everything to win even when we were tired.”
Having emerged as Group A winners with a 100 percent record after playing all three of their games in Rome, Italy were on the road for the first time in the tournament.
Mancini made...
