Italy wins over Spain at the Penalties contest to take on England probably for the Euro 2020 final

The Bruise Brothers are all set to reveal their performance for the finals while England might also move to show up. Giorgio Chiellini and Leonardo Bonucci have got Harry Kane in their uncompromising sights after Italy dramatically secured their place in Sunday’s European Championship final.

The victory for Italy was important in the most enduring defensive partnership in world football celebrated for their 325th game together for club and country. And they won’t come any more nerve shredding than this incredible shoot-out triumph.

This success required every last drop of endeavour from Roberto Mancini’s men. It is Chiellini and Bonucci having a combined age of 70 but they remain as impenetrable a barrier as when they first teamed up way back in 2010.

Finding a way past these towering twins is going to take some doing for Gareth Southgate and his coaching team. Spanish sub Alvaro Morata did manage to conjure up a late equaliser to take this epic battle into extra-time.

But the striker bombed out by Chelsea two years ago was left inconsolable when his penalty was saved by Italian keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma. Bonucci had already proved all the talent of steel when he stepped up to convert from the spot.

Banucci had missed previous shoot-out defeats by Spain and Germany. That came after Manuel Locatelli’s effort had been saved by Unai Simon before Dani Olmo blasted over the bar to keep this tie on an edge.