NEWS SAT 2 JUL 2016
Italy’s involvement at Euro 2016 came to an end tonight (Saturday) as they were eliminated in cruel circumstances, beaten by Germany on penalties in Bordeaux following a 1-1 draw.
Antonio Conte’s side had shown tremendous character, fighting back to level after falling behind midway through the second half, but when it came down to penalties it was Germany who progressed as the shoot-out went into sudden death.
The first half of the game was dominated by the defensive players on show, with only two real chances to speak of, one at either end.
Thomas Muller was first to go close but the German couldn’t find a proper connection on his strike after the ball had bobbled around inside the Italy penalty area, and Gianluigi Buffon saved easily.
Moments later, at the other end, Conte’s side almost took the lead. Emanuele Giaccherini’s cross arrived at the back post but Alessandro Florenzi’s strike, which seemed destined for the back of the net, was deflected behind.
The deadlock was broken 20 minutes into the second half and it was Germany who struck first, Mesuz Ozil arriving in the box to fire home from Jonas Hector’s cross.
Three minutes later they should have extended their advantage but Mario Gomez was denied by a brilliant save after latching on to an Ozil flick.
With 13 minutes left to play, however, Italy were handed a lifeline when Jerome Boateng handled inside the penalty area.
It was defender Leonardo Bonucci tasked with taking the resulting penalty and he made no mistake, stepping up and calmly dispatching his kick to make it 1-1.
Another 30 minutes, in which there were a few half-chances, failed to separate the two sides so it was down to penalties.
After both teams had converted their first spot kicks, Simone Zaza blasted over the bar for Italy before Muller’s strike was saved by Buffon.
Italy restored their advantage and then Ozil, arguably Germany’s best player on the night, fired wide.
Graziano Pelle then sent his effort wide of Manuel Neuer’s right-hand post and Julian Draxler sent it to sudden death with a powerful drive.
Having scored from the spot in normal time, Bonucci saw his strike brilliantly saved by Neuer, but while Bastian Schweinsteiger knew a successful kick would send Germany through, he blasted high over the bar.
Both teams scored with their next three strikes, before Matteo Darmian’s effort was saved by Neuer, and it was Hector who sent Germany through to the semi-finals, where they will now play France or Iceland.
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