The fourth and final quarter final saw England play Italy. Roy Hodgson had stuck with the same team that had beaten Ukraine in their final group game but were far from their best. Italy dominated as they had a host of chances in which to go through. However it went to extra time but a scorer still couldn't be found. The game went to penalties and of course, England lost. Italy missed their first penalty through Montolivo but Ashley Young and Ashley Cole both then missed penalties later on in the shootout. Diamante stepped up to take the deciding penalty which he comfortably converted to send Italy through to the semi-finals. The final score on penalties finished England 2-4 Italy. England deserved to be knocked out on the night but can hold their heads high as with the weak squad they had taken to Poland and Ukraine there is nothing to be ashamed of.
The quarter-final the day before saw Spain play France. The French had Mexes suspended so Laurent Koscielny came into the side for his first game of the tournament. However, arguably their best player of the tournament, Samir Nasri was strangely left out of the starting XI. The Spanish though, as they did in their first group game, played without a striker as Cesc Fabregas lead the line. Spain were the dominant side and deservedly went through. The first goal was set up from a fine piece of play from Jordi Alba who got to the byline before finding the head of Xabi Alonso who gave them the lead. In the dying moments of the game Alonso grabbed his second goal of the game from the penalty spot to send Spain through as the final score ended Spain 2-0 France.
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| Diamante scored the desicive penalty as England were knocked out |
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