Italy and Spain face off as Euro enters Semis

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Italy will be facing off with Spain in the first semi-final match of the EUFA Euro 2021 championships./COURTESY

The 2020 UEFA European Championship enters the semi-final stage Tuesday evening at Wembley stadium with the first tie pitting tournament favorites Italy and 2012 champions Spain.

Rejuvenated Italy under Roberto Mancini has not tasted defeat in their last 32 fixtures, their last setback being September 2018 compared to Spain who have lost one match in their last 29 games, winning in 13 in a row.

Italy who are yet to lose a match in the tournament secured a semi-final spot with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over the number one ranked team in the world Belgium while Spain saw off Switzerland on penalty shootouts after a one-all draw in regulation time.

The match presents Italy with an opportunity to revenge having heavily lost 4-0 to Spain in the 2012 finals held in Ukraine, under the then star-studded Spanish side led by midfield maestro Xavier Hernández and Andrés Iniesta.

Italy remain the bookies favorite having dominated in their last 10 meetings with Spain, their last encounter being the knock-out stage of the 2016 Euro championship where Italy won 2-0 under the tutelage of Antonio Conte.

Italy will be without the services of Roma left-back Leonardo Spinazolla due to an injury he picked against Belgium while Pablo Sarabia remains a doubt for Spain.

The second semi-final will be played on Wednesday where England buoyed with 4-0 thrashing of Ukraine in the quarter-finals will be up against Denmark who knocked out Czech Republic.

The Dens are still without midfielder Christian Eriksen who suffered a cardiac arrest during their 1-0 defeat against Finland in their opening match of the tournament.

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