I slept early and woke up just in time for the Italy vs. Spain semifinal match of the European Championships at 3 a.m. However, I knew I was in for a “challenging time” when I saw a disclaimer on the website that I was on to see the match. “The site doesn’t own the livestream and is merely hosting it.”
Oh boy.
Though it lagged a few times, I was able to see Italy’s wonderful opener. On the backpedal for most of the match, Italy got the lead through a wonderful counterattack capped by a sublime finish by Federico Chiesa in the 60th. I think it was Italy’s first attempt at goal to Spain’s five or six at that point. All those ball possessions went to naught.
I was rooting for Spain and I was confident they could still get an equalizer, and they did in the 80th. At that time, ball possession was at 37-63 in favor of Spain; at least that’s what I remember and I thought that perhaps Spain could get that breakthrough in extra time.
However, I could barely keep my eyes open as it was almost 5 a.m. Unlike the last time I stayed up to watch Spain live, which was in the 2010 Fifa World Cup final against the Netherlands which went to extra time, I couldn’t stay up. I thought I’d take a five-minute nap before extra time, but when I woke up it was already daylight.
A quick search online showed Italy went on to win on shootout to advance to the final, where they will face the winner of the Denmark vs. England semis. I hope it would be England, always a favorite. After so many heartbreaks, shootout or otherwise, this could be England’s first major trophy in a generation.
You know, all those football is coming home posts you’ve read lately.
But crazier things have happened in football.
NEYMAR VS. MESSI. By the way, former Barcelona teammates Neymar and Lionel Messi will also be facing off in the final of the Copa America, which could be Messi’s last. Brazil beat Peru, 1-0, in the semis and Argentina beat Colombia, 3-2, via shootout, with Messi providing the assist for their opening goal.
Unlike the Euro final, which will be at 3 a.m., Sunday’s final will be at a friendlier 8 a.m. Though I normally root for Brazil in international competitions, this time I’d make an exception and hope Messi finally gets to win a major title for Argentina.
England in the Euro, Argentina in the Copa America. How about you?