Photo by Claudio Villa/Getty Images
It wasn’t quite as short as the actual 30-second shootout at the O.K. Corral in Tombstone, Arizona back in 1881, but Italy made quick work of Spain in the shootout at Wembley Stadium on Tuesday night to reach the final of Euro 2020, after a grueling 120 minutes of actual football failed to find a winner.
With former Chelsea striker Álvaro Morata putting Spain back on level terms ten minutes from time in regulation, after Italy had opened the scoring around the hour-mark through Federico Chiesa, the visibly tiring teams (Spain were in their third consecutive extra-time) slogged it out for 30 extra minutes before settling for the drama of penalties. Spain had controlled much of the game through their customary possession (70-30), while Italy were happy to stay compact and look for counters. It wasn’t the prettiest game, but it was certainly intriguing and nail-biting, and that was before the decisive spot kicks.