As was expected, Austria doggedly battled the more fancied Italy through the whole of 90 minutes, with fair chances to go ahead, but eventually succumbed in extra time to a 2-1 scoreline. The Red & White outfit, led by David Alaba, put up a fabulous performance, much beyond the expectations of most football experts, who had predicted a easy sweep for the Italians.
It was a great contest, as both teams played with flair & optimism trying to create an early advantage & hold on the game. There were acrobatic saves at both ends of the goal, & half chances fluffed, as the 1st half ended in stalemate. Italy had more of the chances, as their efforts flew past, kissing the crossbar, & on another occasion, Austrian keeper, Bachmann saved well with his feet. Early in the 2nd half Alaba should've taken the lead for Austria, but his freekick from the edge of the box, sailed over the bar. Around 60 minutes into the match, with tense supporters on both sides egging for a lead, Arnautovic teamed up with Alaba to put the ball into the Italian net, to start the celebrations, but the goal was disallowed for offside after a VAR review. A while later, the red & white outfit appealed for a penalty, when Stefan Lainer was brought down in the box by Pessina, but again, this was disallowed for an offside after a VAR review - these were probably the best moments Austrians had in the match. Lady Luck stayed away from Austria tantalizingly, as the match headed into extra time.
The more experienced Azzuri, finally broke the deadlock in extra time, as Chiesa picked up a cross from Spinazzola to smash in a left footed shot into the Austrian goal. With spring on their wheels now, the Italians were all over the Austrian half & scored the 2nd goal, as Insigne's shot deflected into the path of Pessina in a crowded defense, who fired into the far corner of the net, as the stadium erupted in Blue white cheers. However, just when it seemed all over the bar shouting, Sasa Kalajdzic lunged in between three Italian defenders to head in from the neat post for Austria to narrow the lead to 2-1, as the Red & White Austrian supporters came to life & the match opened up at both ends. Italy, having finally conceded a goal after 1,168 minutes of a clean sheet in the tournament, created a new World record & eventually prevailed over the Austrians with gritty defensive character. Leonardo Spinazzola was certainly the Man of Match with his incredible & tireless presence across the field, through the game - it was finally his pass to Chiesa, that created the 1st goal to pip Italy ahead, at a time, when they looked quite out of sorts.
It was a real tight game, which could've gone either ways - a narrow slippery escape for Italy, who now reach the quarter finals & await the winner of Belgium vs Portugal - another humdinger in the making. WOW
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