Germany 1-2 Italy: Balotelli's Double Sets Up Italy-Spain Euro 2012 Final
By Bleacherreport. 28 June, 2012
EURO 2012—Semifinal, National Stadium, Warsaw, Poland.
GERMANY 1-2 ITALY (FULLTIME)
Goals: Balotelli (Italy) 20', 36', Ozil (Germany) 90+2'—pen
Lineups
Germany: Neuer, Hummels, Badstuber, Lahm, Boateng (Muller), Khedira, Schweinsteiger, Ozil, Kroos, Podolski (Reus), Gomez (Klose)
Italy: Buffon, Chiellini, Balzaretti, Barzagli, Bonucci, Marchisio, De Rossi, Montolivo (Motta), Pirlo, Balotelli (Di Natale), Cassano (Diamanti)
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4:40 PM ET
90+4'–
ITALY HAVE WON IT!
Time runs out for Germany and it's Italy who will beat Spain in Sunday's Euro 2012 Final. Balotelli's two goals were the difference, and it's hard to argue Italy don't deserve to advance. Germany are left to rue yet another missed opportunity at a major tournament. And yet another big-game disappointment at the hands of Italy.
4:38 PM ET
90+3'—Wild scenes as Germany chase down an equalizer. Neuer is acting as a central defender.
4:36 PM ET
90+2'–
PENALTY TO GERMANY! Balzaretti handles and the Germans have the merest glimmer of hope here as Ozil slots away the spot-kick.
4:34 PM ET
89'—
YELLOW CARD: Motta adds injury to insult with a crunching tackle on Schweinsteiger. He gets a yellow for his troubles. Soon after Hummels' close-range shot is blocked by a combination of Bonucci and Buffon.
4:32 PM ET
Alex Grimm/Getty Images
88'—Muller whips over a cross from the right, but Buffon gathers with relative ease. All over bar the shouting now.
4:30 PM ET
85'—Reus goes through in the Italian box, but his run is blocked just as he's about to shoot. Italian just will not be beaten here.
4:28 PM ET
84'—
YELLOW! De Rossi in the book for a mistimed tackle. Germany advance and Chiellini concedes a corner. You just can't see Germany scoring right now.
4:27 PM ET
82'—
ANOTHER CHANCE FOR ITALY! Di Natale is sent clean throug, but he can only find the side-netting with the goal gaping. Soon after Diamanti scores, but he's ruled offside.
4:24 PM ET
80'—
BAD MISS FROM KROOS! A weak clearance comes out to Kroos, but his first-time effort is blazed over the bar.
4:23 PM ET
79'—Italy are cutting through Germany with ease. Pirlo's pass sends De Rossi away inside the box, but his cross is cut out by Neuer.
4:21 PM ET
77'—Hummels with a header from a corner, but it's over the bar. Time running out for Germany.
4:20 PM ET
Shaun Botterill/Getty Images
75'—
GREAT CHANCE FOR 3-0! Badstuber slips in front of Marchisio, presenting him with a clear chance to beat Neuer from 10 yards. He drags his shot wide.
4:18 PM ET
73'—Neuer almost embarrassed. The Germany keeper gets caught by Di Natale trying to play his way out of trouble, and is lucky to escape without handing the Italians an opportunity.
4:14 PM ET
70'—
ITALY CHANGE: It's goodnight Mario, as Di Natale replaces Italy's two-goal hero after he appears to go down with a bit of cramp. He's been sensational tonight.
4:12 PM ET
Michael Regan/Getty Images
67'—
CHANCE FOR ITALY! Wonderful linking play from Italy results in a chance for Marchisio, who blazes his first-time shot a few yards wide. That would have been some goal, and surely the end of Germany's hopes.
4:10 PM ET
66'—Ozil receives the ball in Germany's midfield, only to be surrounded by no fewer than four Italian shirts. Pirlo takes the ball off his toes and moves Italy forward.
4:08 PM ET
64'—
ITALY CHANGE: Motta replaces the impressive Montolivo as Italy make their second change. Both teams have one substitution remaining.
4:06 PM ET
61'—
YELLOW CARD! Bonucci goes in the book for a crude kick out at Kroos. He's the second man to pick up a yellow tonight, after Balotelli got one for taking his shirt off. Reus steps up to take the free-kick and
BUFFON IS FORCED TO TIP IT OVER!
4:04 PM ET
60'—Balotelli works himself an opening and fizzes a shot past the post from the corner of the box. Neuer never looked remotely troubled.
4:03 PM ET
59'—All Germany so far in the second half. But with every minute ticked down the Italians get closer.
4:01 PM ET
56'—Klose with a chance to drive into the box. Great tackle from Bonucci to deny him. Germany's corner is cleared at the near post.
3:59 PM ET
Alex Grimm/Getty Images
55'—Magical stuff from Ozil, who darts inside the Italian box and pulls the ball back from the dead ball line. Klose is on hand, but the Italian defenders close him down quickly and the chance goes begging. Germany are getting closer. Or should that be Klose?
3:56 PM ET
53'—Cassano with some good work on Italy's left. His cross almost finds its way to Balotelli, but Germany scramble clear.
3:55 PM ET
51'—Strong start from Germany in the second half. They've clearly been read the riot act from Joachim Low and appear a much more purposeful outfit than we saw in the first half.
3:54 PM ET
49'—Reus to Kroos, who lays on a shooting chance for Lahm, The German captain doesn't break stride, but his shot is just over the bar.