Italy squeeze through after extra-time win over Austria

Italy 2-1 Austria: Substitute Chiesa and Pessina scores as Azzurri squeeze through after extra-time win over Austria

At Wembley, Italy required extra time to beat a spirited Austria and book a place in the Euro 2020 quarter-finals against Belgium or Portugal.

Austria made their maiden appearance in the European Championship knockout stage with a tenacious performance that gave their highly favoured opponents a scare.

In normal time, when the game was still goalless, Marko Arnautovic had a headed goal disallowed due to a VAR probe for offside, before replacements Federico Chiesa and Matteo Pessina scored to send Italy through.

Chiesa showed excellent ability to bring the ball down and beat Daniel Bachmann from an angle, while Pessina doubled the score from close range after scoring in the group game against Wales.

Austria equalised through Sasa Kalajdzic's daring header, the first goal Italy has conceded in 12 games, but the Azzurri continue their unbeaten streak with their 31st match - a new national record.

Nicolo Barella was stopped by Austria's Watford goalie before Ciro Immobile hit the post from 25 yards, giving Italy the upper hand in the first half.

Austria put up a strong defensive performance to frustrate the four-time world champions while still creating chances for themselves.

Before the disallowed goal, Arnautovic hit the crossbar with one chance and blasted straight at the keeper with another, while David Alaba came near with a free-kick.

In the quarter-finals on July 2 in Munich, Italy will face the winner of Sunday's last-16 match between Belgium, the world's top-ranked team, and holders Portugal.

🇮🇹 SCENES after the Azzurri made it 12 consecutive wins and sealed a quarter-final spot! 🥳@azzurri | #EURO2020 pic.twitter.com/TJamvBpPhv

— UEFA EURO 2020 (@EURO2020) June 26, 2021

Man of the Match: Leonardo Spinazzola (Italy)

⚡️ Electric in attack, brilliant at the back. Leonardo Spinazzola picks up his second Star of the Match trophy! 👏@Heineken | #EUROSOTM | #EURO2020 pic.twitter.com/AFjxRck4Bk

— UEFA EURO 2020 (@EURO2020) June 26, 2021

What the players and managers said

Matteo Pessina, Italy midfielder: "I am still trying to take in my goal against Wales, so imagine how this one feels. I will remember it for the rest of my career. In this team everybody can score and this is our main strength – we are a great group."

Leonardo Spinazzola, Italy defender: "I'm happy with the victory – I think we played as a real team tonight. We defended all together when we needed to. After 90 minutes, we said that we just had to improve the quality of the final passes and finally the goals arrived in extra time."

David Alaba, Austria captain: "It's not easy to put that into words. We can be proud of ourselves, Austria can be proud of us. We gave everything but in the end we weren't rewarded for our performance. That's really tough to take."

Sasa Kalajdzic, Austria forward: "I think the whole of Austria can be proud of this team. It came down to small things that decided the game. My goal was great – I don't think my head has ever been so close to the ground."

Italy 2-1 Austria: Watch the full match highlights