One of the tournament favourites, Spain had eased through the group stage without conceding a goal, but struggled after losing Alberto Botia on the half-hour mark for a foul on Andrea Mazzarani.Spain were simply overwhelmed in the second half as Italy scored after 55 minutes with Mazzarani's pass giving Mattia Mustacchio enough space to clip his shot past Sergio Asenjo, and Mazzarani then punished poor defending on the hour mark to double the lead.
The Spaniards offered a spirited reply through Aaron Niguez's penalty after 66 minutes, but he then missed the chance to level the match after having a second penalty saved by Vincenzo Fiorillo, and three minutes later Mustacchio burst down the left and finished brilliantly to secure the win.
Francesco Rocca's Azzurrini will now play Hungary or Czech Republic in the quarter-finals on Friday.
[FIFA Under-20 World Cup 2009] - [Italy squad]
Source: FIFA
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