Substitute Joselu scored a fortunate winner three minutes from the end as Spain booked their place in a second successive Nations League final with a deserved 2-1 victory over Italy on Thursday.

Coach Luis de la Fuente’s side will meet Croatia in Sunday’s decider in Rotterdam having lost to France in the final two years ago. Italy take on hosts Netherlands for the bronze medal.

Spain capitalised on a defensive lapse to take the lead inside three minutes as Yeremy Pino produced a cool finish, but when debutant Robin Le Normand handled the ball in the box, Italy’s Ciro Immobile scored his first international goal in two years from the penalty spot.

Extra time looked inevitable as both teams ran out of ideas in search of a winner, and perhaps fittingly it came in bizarre circumstances when Rodri’s fierce shot bounced off two defenders and fell kindly for Joselu to poke home from four yards.

The result was a repeat of their 2021 semi-final and became a battle between Spain’s possession game and Italy’s ability to hit them on the counter-attack with swift breaks.

Spain enjoyed 61 per cent of the ball, but as has been the case for them in recent times struggled to make use of it.

They were gifted the opener when Leonardo Bonucci was caught in possession by Yeremy, and the Spaniard slid the ball into the far corner.

But Italy struck back straight away with good fortune of their own. They were awarded a clear penalty when debutant centre back Le Normand handled the ball in the box and Immobile sent Spain goalkeeper Unai Simon the wrong way from the spot.

Italy thought they had hit the front when Jorginho’s excellent pass put Davide Frattesi through on goal, but his calm finish was in vain as he was ruled offside by inches.

Spain were a whisker away from regaining the lead when Mikel Merino’s shot was brilliantly saved by Gianluigi Donnarumma and Alvaro Morata put the loose ball inches wide of the post.

At the other end, Simon made a magnificent stop to deny Davide Frattesi from a swift Italian break.

The game fell into a lull in the final 20 minutes before Joselu, who had only been on the pitch three minutes, was in the right place at the right time to guide Spain into another final.

The victory was a welcome relief for De la Fuente, who had come under pressure after losing his second match in charge, 2-0 to Scotland in a Euro 2024 qualifier in March.

Spain must continue this improvement in order to beat Croatia in the final in Rotterdam on Sunday, Manchester City midfielder Rodri said.

“We have played Croatia quite a few times, they are very competitive as a team, with outstanding individual players who keep pushing till the end,” he said. “We have the opportunity to compete for a trophy, we must not let that slip through our fingers.”

“Spain deserved it. We couldn’t do much in the second half,” Italy coach Roberto Mancini said.

United in talks with De Gea

Manchester: Manchester United is continuing contract negotiations with David de Gea, the club said on Friday, after the Spanish goalkeeper was left off their retained list of players for next season.

Meanwhile, Mason Greenwood was included on the list, four months after charges against him of attempted rape and assault were dropped.

De Gea becomes a free agent this summer, but could still remain at the club where he has been since he signed from Atletico Madrid in 2011. “Discussions remain open with David over a potential new contract,” United said.

Despite winning the Premier League Golden Glove for the most clean sheets last season, De Gea’s position has been in question over his ability to play out from the back with his feet.

Manager Erik ten Hag sees that as a key quality for his keepers and United has been linked with a move for Brentford’s David Raya this summer.

Greenwood's future remains uncertain too. Though all charges against him were dropped, he remains the subject of an internal “process” being conducted by United.

AP/PTI