Germany 1-2 Italy: Balotelli double sets up Spain final
The enigmatic striker has come through on the big stage, with two well-taken first-half goals leading the Azzurri into the final for the first time since 2000.
Bongarts
A brilliant performance from Mario Balotelli has driven Italy into the Euro 2012 final, after a 2-1 win over Germany at the National Stadium on Thursday.
The Manchester City forward has hit the headlines for all the right reasons, opening the scoring with a powerful header before smashing home an emphatic second to clinch a date with Spain at the Olympic Stadium on July 1.
It was a deserved victory for Italy, which could have added further goals in the second half had it taken one of the numerous chances afforded to it by Germany's rushes forward to find a way back into the match.
Mesut Ozil ensured a nervy finish to the encounter with a penalty in second-half stoppage time, but there was to be no miracle for Germany, which bowed out at the semifinal stage for the second major tournament in a row.
Joachim Low restored Mario Gomez and Toni Kroos to his starting XI after the Bayern Munich pair was benched for the quarterfinal victory over Greece.
Cesare Prandelli made only one change from the side that eliminated England on penalties, with Giorgio Chiellini recovering from an injury in time to replace Ignazio Abate.
It was Germany which threatened first only six minutes in, after Mats Hummels’ scrambled shot was blocked on the line by Andrea Pirlo, allowing Gianluigi Buffon to smother.
The Azzurri skipper nearly forced an own-goal moments later after inadvertently diverting a Jerome Boateng cross into Andrea Barzagli, but the deflection rolled just wide of the post.
Despite the scares at the back during the opening exchanges, Italy was quicker to settle into the match, and began to establish a rhythm with some patient play in midfield.
Riccardo Montolivo blasted into the arms of Manuel Neuer from the edge of the box, but the Germany keeper was forced to work much harder by Antonio Cassano, whose curler towards the bottom corner was tipped away.
Italy started to get into its stride and was asking growing questions of the suspect German defense. Then, with 20 minutes gone, the Azzurri carved them completely apart.
Chiellini fed Cassano on the overlap down the left, and the Milan forward delivered a superb cross into the heart of the area, where Balotelli rose above Holger Badstuber to head Italy into the lead.
The Manchester City forward has hit the headlines for all the right reasons, opening the scoring with a powerful header before smashing home an emphatic second to clinch a date with Spain at the Olympic Stadium on July 1.
It was a deserved victory for Italy, which could have added further goals in the second half had it taken one of the numerous chances afforded to it by Germany's rushes forward to find a way back into the match.
Mesut Ozil ensured a nervy finish to the encounter with a penalty in second-half stoppage time, but there was to be no miracle for Germany, which bowed out at the semifinal stage for the second major tournament in a row.
Joachim Low restored Mario Gomez and Toni Kroos to his starting XI after the Bayern Munich pair was benched for the quarterfinal victory over Greece.
Cesare Prandelli made only one change from the side that eliminated England on penalties, with Giorgio Chiellini recovering from an injury in time to replace Ignazio Abate.
It was Germany which threatened first only six minutes in, after Mats Hummels’ scrambled shot was blocked on the line by Andrea Pirlo, allowing Gianluigi Buffon to smother.
The Azzurri skipper nearly forced an own-goal moments later after inadvertently diverting a Jerome Boateng cross into Andrea Barzagli, but the deflection rolled just wide of the post.
Despite the scares at the back during the opening exchanges, Italy was quicker to settle into the match, and began to establish a rhythm with some patient play in midfield.
Riccardo Montolivo blasted into the arms of Manuel Neuer from the edge of the box, but the Germany keeper was forced to work much harder by Antonio Cassano, whose curler towards the bottom corner was tipped away.
Italy started to get into its stride and was asking growing questions of the suspect German defense. Then, with 20 minutes gone, the Azzurri carved them completely apart.
Chiellini fed Cassano on the overlap down the left, and the Milan forward delivered a superb cross into the heart of the area, where Balotelli rose above Holger Badstuber to head Italy into the lead.
No comments:
Post a Comment
hey! whats up! we are happy to attend that lever we need your help by contribute with idea and other things. thank you