Spain's Alvaro Morata celebrates after scoring his side's opening goal during the Euro 2020 soccer semifinal match between Italy and Spain at Wembley stadium in London, Tuesday, July 6, 2021. (Laurence Griffiths, Pool via AP)
The Associated Press
LONDON (AP) - Widely criticized, threatened with his life and then surprisingly dropped from the team, Ãlvaro Morata has faced all kinds of setbacks at the European Championship.
With one goal, he looked to have put that all aside.
Morata came off the bench in the semifinals on Tuesday, only seconds after Federico Chiesa had given Italy the lead in the 60th minute, and scored the equalizer for his third goal at Euro 2020.
His place in the team - his very worth for the team - should have been cemented right then, right there. But the ensuing penalty shootout, so often an event that can reduce great players to scapegoats, did just that.
Morata sent his penalty toward the right side, but Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma dived to his left and blocked the ball from going into the net.
'œThis group deserved more, much more," Morata wrote on Instagram. "Like all of Spain, it was also my dream, our dream. I can only say that I am proud to have been part of this team. To those who have believed in us, THANK YOU. Soccer can be very tough at times. Long live Spain.'ť
Moments later, Jorginho scored. That gave Italy a spot in Sunday's final against either England or Denmark, and gave Spain nothing but a long trip home.
Morata had started every game so far at Euro 2020 despite widespread criticism for his struggles in front of goal. Spain coach Luis Enrique said the decision to drop him for the match against Italy had to do with an injury.
'œHe (Morata) has an abductor issue. And it really says a lot about his personality that even despite that he wanted to take a penalty,'ť Luis Enrique said. 'œHe has gone through some tough times in this competition but he was brilliant. He really created a lot of uncertainty within the Italian ranks. He scored, of course, so he was excellent.'ť
The 28-year-old Morata walked straight off the field after Jorginho's winning penalty.
'œI haven't been able to speak to him because he's had to go to doping control but I'll go and see him now,'ť Luis Enrique said.
It was the first time Spain had lost in the semifinals of a European Championship or World Cup.
Morata scored three goals in his six matches in the tournament but it was his misses that drew more attention. That included missing a penalty against Slovakia and an almost open goal against Poland as he attempted to score from the rebound after Gerard Moreno had hit the post with a penalty.
Morata didn't take a penalty against Switzerland in the quarterfinals because he had already been substituted off the field.
In the shootout against Italy, Morata was not the only Spain player to fail. Dani Olmo also sent his shot over the bar, just after Italy midfielder Manuel Locatelli had seen his opening kick saved by Unai Simón.
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Spain's Alvaro Morata and Jordi Alba, right, react at the end of the Euro 2020 soccer championship semifinal match between Italy and Spain at Wembley stadium in London, Tuesday, July 6, 2021. Italy defeated Spain 4-2 in a penalty shootout after the game ended tied 1-1 after extra time.(Facundo Arrizabalaga/Pool Photo via AP)
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Italy's goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, right, makes a save against Spain's Alvaro Morata during the penalty shootout of the Euro 2020 soccer championship semifinal match between Italy and Spain at Wembley Stadium in London, Tuesday, July 6, 2021. (Andy Rain/Pool via AP)
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Spain's Alvaro Morata prepares to kick a penalty during the Euro 2020 soccer championship semifinal match between Italy and Spain at Wembley stadium in London, England, Tuesday, July 6, 2021. (Justin Tallis/Pool Photo via AP)
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Spain's Thiago, right, gestures to teammate Alvaro Morata after he missed a penalty during the Euro 2020 soccer championship semifinal between Italy and Spain at Wembley stadium in London, Tuesday, July 6, 2021. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham,Pool)
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Spain's Alvaro Morata, second left, scores his side's first goal during the Euro 2020 soccer championship semifinal match between Italy and Spain at Wembley stadium in London, Tuesday, July 6, 2021. (Justin Tallis/Pool Photo via AP)
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Spain's Alvaro Morata celebrates after scoring his side's opening goal during the Euro 2020 soccer semifinal match between Italy and Spain at Wembley stadium in London, Tuesday, July 6, 2021. (Laurence Griffiths, Pool via AP)
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Spain's Alvaro Morata, left, celebrates after scoring his side's opening goal during the Euro 2020 soccer semifinal match between Italy and Spain at Wembley stadium in London, Tuesday, July 6, 2021. (Laurence Griffiths, Pool via AP)
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Spain's Alvaro Morata during the Euro 2020 soccer championship semifinal match between Italy and Spain at Wembley Stadium in London, Tuesday, July 6, 2021. (Andy Rain/Pool via AP)
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Italy's goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, right, clears the ball in front Spain's Alvaro Morata, center, during the Euro 2020 soccer semifinal match between Italy and Spain at Wembley stadium in London, Tuesday, July 6, 2021. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein, Pool)
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Spain's Alvaro Morata, left, celebrates after scoring his sides first goal during the Euro 2020 soccer championship semifinal match between Italy and Spain at Wembley Stadium in London, Tuesday, July 6, 2021. (Andy Rain/Pool via AP)
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Spain's manager Luis Enrique, left, comforts Spain's Thiago, center, and Spain's Pedri during the Euro 2020 soccer championship semifinal match between Italy and Spain at Wembley Stadium in London, Tuesday, July 6, 2021. (Andy Rain/Pool via AP)
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Spain's manager Luis Enrique , right, comforts Spain's Dani Olmo after the Euro 2020 soccer championship semifinal match between Italy and Spain at Wembley Stadium in London, Tuesday, July 6, 2021. (Andy Rain/Pool via AP)
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