Spain vs Italy LIVE! Nations League match stream, latest score and goal updates today
Two of Europe’s footballing powerhouses meet in the Netherlands tonight to decide who will face Croatia in the 2023 Nations League final. The third edition of the UEFA competition will guarantee a new country lifting the trophy but the exact identity of the victor is anyone’s guess.
Italy may well officially be European champions for at least another year but their failure to qualify for the World Cup has Roberto Mancini under pressure, amid his public unhappiness about the supply of players for the national team out of Serie A. Veteran striker Ciro Immobile is back in the Azzuri’s starting line-up.
Meanwhile, Luis de la Fuente’s Spain tenure got off to a rocky start in the spring and he desperately needs a good Nations League campaign to inject some momentum into La Roja. Follow all the action in Spain vs Italy LIVE via Standard Sport’s matchday blog below!
Live updates
Roberto Mancini reflects on Italy’s path to the finals
It took a last-day win over Hungary to edge the eastern Europeans for top spot in Group 3.
And Roberto Mancini has admitted his unhappiness with Italy’s qualification efforts despite the outcome.
He told UEFA: “The round wasn’t that easy and, above all, it hadn’t gone as well as we’d hoped.
“We certainly didn’t think we would get to the final four because it was a difficult group and we were making some changes. I think we did a very good job because of the way we put it together and the way we won the last two games.”
How Croatia booked their place
It was a cracker in De Kuip last night as Croatia downed the Netherlands 4-2 after the extra time.
They await tonight’s winners in Sunday’s final while the Dutch will come to Enschende for the third-place play-off.
Bruno Petkovic hit the pick of the goals for the winner.
Luis de la Fuente sets out his Spain stall
It was a tricky opening period for the new coach, who beat Norway and lost to Scotland in Euro 2024 qualification.
He’s been speaking to UEFA about how he wants his side to play.
De la Fuente said: “I like the idea of playing combination football, controlling the game and finding passes between players, which defines the Spanish style.
“However, I also like creating depth and width, and running into space. I’m calm because I know the players quite well. I have already coached most of them and I know they’ll be able to make this new footballing idea thrive.”
Spain vs Italy: Countdown to kick-off
Just 30 minutes until we get underway in the Netherlands!
The Azzurri are suited and booted
Spain vs Italy match odds
Spain to reach final: 13/20
Italy to reach final: 6/5
Throwback: Spain down the Azzurri in the 2021 Nations League semis
Head-to-head record
The last six meetings are perfectly split between two wins apiece and two draws.
Spain wins: 13
Draws: 12
Italy wins: 10
Bags of experience in the Italy team
Rafael Toloi is chosen to line up with Leonardo Bonucci and Champions League finalist Francesco Acerbi at the back.
Up front, 33-year-old Ciro Immobile is favoured alongside Galatasaray’s Nicolo Zaniolo.
It looks like a 5-3-2 for Italy, featuring Sassuolo midfielder Davide Frattesi.
Spain debut for Tim Le Normand
The Real Sociedad centre-back gets his chance at the first opportunity having last month declared his allegiance for Spain, having been born in France.
Barcelona left-back Jordi Alba will earn his 92nd cap opposite fellow veteran Jesus Navas, while Rodrigo Moreno and Yeremy Pino are a relatively untested pairing either side of Alvaro Morata up top.
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