Jorginho converted the decisive penalty kick on Tuesday night to give Italy a 4-2 shootout win over Spain and a spot in the European Championship final.
Italy will face either England or Denmark on Sunday, depending on who wins Wednesday’s semi-final.
The match finished 1-1 after extra time and provided Italy with its toughest test of the tournament, with Spain controlling possession for long periods.
Federico Chiesa scored for Italy with a curling shot in the 60th minute but substitute Alvaro Morata equalised for Spain in the 80th.
Riding a national record unbeaten run of 33 games, Italy will play in its fourth European final and look to win the title for a second time, after 1968.
It’s quite the redemption story for a country that failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup.
“This group is amazing,” Mancini said. “Everyone wants to win, but this group of players wanted to do something special.”
Against Austria in the round of 16, the Italians were taken to extra time at Wembley and they had to go the distance, too, against Spain.
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