Izuchukwu Okosi
Spain booked their place in the final of the 2023 UEFA Nations League with a 2-1 win over Italy on Thursday to set up a clash against Croatia.
Joselu scored a late winner as the 2010 FIFA World winners made their dominance count especially in an impressive second half.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelYeremy Pino won the ball off Italy legend Leonardo Bonucci outside his own box before firing in Spain’s opener in Enschede, Netherlands.
Ciro Immobile equalised for Italy with a penalty after Spain debutant Robin le Normand handled in the box.
Substitute Joselu pounced from close range after Rodri’s deflected shot to send Spain to the Rotterdam final.
It continues the remarkable late-career rise of Espanyol striker Joselu.
The 33-year-old only made his international debut in March and has now scored three goals in three appearances.
He was the third top scorer in La Liga this season with 16 goals, only behind Barcelona’s Robert Lewandowski and Real Madrid’s Karim Benzema, despite his team being relegated.
Joselu has come a long way since netting four goals in 22 Premier League games for Stoke and then six in 46 league games for Newcastle before returning home in 2019.
He now has a chance to claim his first winner’s medal on Sunday.
Spain, who lost the 2021 Nations League final to France, face a Croatia side bidding to win their country’s first international trophy.
Italy must face the Netherlands, who lost to Croatia in the other semi-final, in a third-placed play-off earlier that day.
Izuchukwu Okosi is a Nigerian sports and entertainment journalist with two decades of experience in the media industry having begun his media journey in 2002 as an intern at Mundial Sports International (MSI) and Africa Independent Television (AIT), owners of Daar Communications Plc.
