A first half hat-trick from Thiago Alcantara and a second half penalty from Isco gave Spain a 4-2 win over Italy in the final of the U-21 Euro Championship.
The Barcelona midfielder got the scoring underway after only six minutes. A great cross from Alvaro Morata found the playmaker, who headed home unmarked.
The lead didn’t last long though, as just four minutes later, Ciro Immobile brought down a through with his first touch and with his second, lofted the ball over David De Gea for the equaliser.
It was an incredibly open half, with both teams playing some fantastic football – but on the half hour mark, Julen Lopetegui’s men regained the lead. Thiago again with the goal, this time his shot was too powerful for the goalkeeper, and dribbled over the line.
La Roja were really getting into their stride now, and just before half-time, they struck again. Cristian Tello was brought down inside the area, and that man Thiago was there again to slot home and secure his hat-trick.
After the break, the game tightened up somewhat, but that didn’t stop Spain getting another goal. Once again it was from the spot, but this time it was Isco who converted.
The Azzurri managed to pull one back through Fabio Borini late on, but it wasn’t enough as La Roja reclaimed their European Championship trophy.
Click here for a full match report.
Italy 2-4 Spain
Scorers: Thiago Alcantara 6, 31, pen 38 (S), Immobile 10 (I), Isco pen 66 (S), Borini 80 (I)
Italy U21: Bardi; Donati, Bianchetti, Caldirola, Regini; Florenzi (Saponara 58), Rossi, Verratti (Crimi 76), Insigne; Immobile (Gabbiadini 58), Borini
Spain U21: De Gea; Montoya, Bartra, Inigo Martinez, Moreno; Koke (Camacho 86), Illarramendi, Thiago Alcantara; Tello (Muniain 70), Morata (Rodrigo 80), Isco
Ref: Jug (SVN)
