Italy wins hardship and misery

Italy avoided national disgrace by wresting its Euro 2020 quarter-finalist from a combative Austrian squad. A 2-1 win in extra time on Saturday at Wembley Stadium in London would delight fans, but certainly not reassure them.

• Read also: Euro: Now is the time for serious things

• Read also: Euro: Belgians and Danes in the next round

• Read also: The euro: three out of three for Italy

The Italians were high favorites for this match, given their results in the group stage and their undefeated streak that now extends to 31 matches. But almost everything collapsed.

The Austrians opened the scoring just an hour later, with a header from Marko Arnautovic. However, the video resume showed that the great striker was in an offside position before giving up his shot.

Squadra Azzura could breathe again, but was unable to score in the remaining half hour. However, Italy opened the machine in overtime.

After being posted to the left of Daniel Bachmann’s net, Federico Chiesa received a ball sent by Leonardo Spinazzola. After two dribbles, the Juventus winger Torino beat the goalkeeper with a shot, much to the relief of his teammates.

After this goal in the 95th minute of play, Matteo Pesina added more before the end of the first half of extra time.

The Austrians gave it all up and Sasa Calajdic was the first to discover a breakthrough in the Italian fortress during this Euro. Six minutes before the end, time was on their side and they had to admit defeat.

This was only the second time in the tournament’s history that three goals were scored in extra time. France and Portugal did so in 1984.

Italy should wait in the next round with an even greater challenge, as Roberto Mancini’s men will face the winner of the Belgium-Portugal duel.

In Saturday’s other European Championship game, Denmark gave Wales no chance with a 4-0 win at the Johan Cruyff Arena.

He definitely scores a lot of goals in Amsterdam. The Dutch national team played their first three matches in the tournament at home, finishing first with eight wins, and now the Danes are starting that too.

Still motivated by the tragic incident involving their leader Christian Eriksen, Kasper Hjolmand’s men are beaten hard to keep the Welsh out of their way.

Established for the first time in Euro due to an injury Joseph Poulsen, Kasper Dolberg scored two goals in the 27th and 48th minutes of play.

While the outcome of the match was almost decided already, Joachim Mehli scored in the 88th minute. Visibly frustrated Welsh winger Harry Wilson received a red card for entering the Danish defender’s legs. It’s even the second red the Dragon has received in this tournament.

In numerical superiority, the Danes confirmed their victory unilaterally with a goal from Martin Braithwaite.

In the quarter-finals, they will wait in Baku, Azerbaijan, the winners of the match between the Netherlands and the Czech Republic.