Early chance already for Spain as Rodrigo wriggles past a defender before having a shot blocked. Rodri then puts his foot through the follow-up but his effort goes high over the bar.

And we're off. Spain get us going.

Just before we kick off, we have a minute's silence in memory of former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi who passed away earlier this week.

The last time these two faced each other was actually in the Nations League semi-finals when Spain beat Italy two years ago before losing in the final to France.

National anthems done. I'd say there's a solid 50-50 split between Italian and Spanish fans.

The teams walk out. There's a great atmosphere.

Just over five minutes until kick-off.

Neither side is having a great time of it, except for winning their Nations League groups.

Morocco knocked Spain out of the World Cup in the last 16, while Italy did not even reach the tournament.

Both sides have already lost Euro 2024 qualifiers - both against British sides. England beat Italy, while Scotland beat Spain.

Image source, Getty Images

Jesus Navas is starting for Spain for the first time in nearly three years tonight.

The World Cup and European Championship winner has had a stellar season helping Sevilla win the Europa League final over Roma two weeks ago.

The former Manchester City man has taken the right-back spot off regular Dani Carvajal.

Image source, Getty Images

Italy will wear a special kit to celebrate 125 years of the Italian Football Federation.

It is based on the ones they wore in their first international back in 1910.

Image source, Getty Images

Leeds striker Wilfried Gnonto is part of this Italy squad for the Nations League... and also in their squad for the European Under-21 Championship.

On Monday, he joins the U21s for the tournament in Romania and Georgia from 21 June to 8 July.

Less than a month after the final of that, Leeds will play their Championship opener.

Image source, EPA

Spain are managed by Luis de la Fuente, who replaced Luis Enrique after the World Cup.

The 61-year-old had spent almost a decade in charge of Spain's youth sides before getting the top job.

He has never managed in La Liga.

"I think the disadvantage national team coaches have is the lack of time," he said.

"We're used to it, myself included, and what would have been ideal would have been to have trained more. But we have a small advantage despite the lack of training sessions: we have top players who take on board what we say to them really quickly.

"The team has been improving. I'm convinced that this will be a great game and, based on our yardstick, we're on the right track to establishing our own, strong brand of football."

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Spain striker Alvaro Morata says he supports Italy when he is not playing against them.

The 30-year-old, who has played for Juventus in two different spells, has an Italian wife and children.

"Italy is like a second home for me," he said. "I have many friends there, a part of my family is Italian.

"I have Italian sons and they want to support their father, but people tell them 'you're Italian, you have to cheer for Italy'.

"My wife wants Spain to win because I am in the team.

"It's only football, it's a sport. When we don't have to play against Italy, I always want them to win.

"When we play against them, there's no family, there are no friends: it's a must-win match."

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Italy were in England's group in the Nations League and qualified despite losing 5-2 to Germany.

"The round wasn't that easy and, above all, it hadn't gone as well as we'd hoped," said Italian boss Roberto Mancini.

"We certainly didn't think we would get to the final four because it was a difficult group and we were making some changes.

"I think we did a very good job because of the way we put it together and the way we won the last two games."

Image source, Getty Images

Yesterday, Croatia beat hosts the Netherlands in a dramatic Nations League semi-final and are now one win from their first major title.

Substitute Bruno Petkovic struck from distance in extra time before Luka Modric's penalty settled a remarkable game in Rotterdam.

A 96th-minute Dutch equaliser from Noa Lang had denied Croatia in normal time.

But Zlatko Dalic's side will now play Italy or Spain in Sunday's final, while the Dutch face a third-place play-off.

"It's a victory for the Croatian people, we beat the Netherlands in front of their fans, Croatia has one more medal," Dalic told Croatia's Nova TV afterwards.

"It's impossible, unreal, but she deserves it. Surely this is a victory which will go down in history."

Image source, Getty Images

In case you need a quick explainer... this is the Nations League semi-finals.

It's the biennial European international where every country is involved and the winners of the top groups reach this finals tournament.

The Netherlands are hosting this shindig. Spain and Italy play tonight. The final is on Sunday.

Portugal won in 2019 and France were the 2021 victors.

If you want to know more, just click here.

Spain hand a debut to French-born Real Sociedad defender Robin le Normand, whose Spanish citizenship only came through last week.

Manchester City duo Aymeric Laporte, who was also born in France, and Rodri, who played the Champions League final on Saturday, also start - as does Leeds forward Rodrigo.

Spain XI: Simon, Navas, Le Normand, Laporte, Alba, Merino, Rodri, Rodrigo, Gavi, Pino, Morata.

Arsenal midfielder Jorginho is the only Premier League player in Italy's XI.

Inter Milan's beaten Champions League finalists Francesco Acerbi and Nicolo Barella also start.

Giovanni di Lorenzo, at 29, is the youngest defender in their team.

Italy XI: Donnarumma, Di Lorenzo, Bonucci, Acerbi, Toloi, Spinazzola, Frattesi, Barella, Jorginho, Immobile, Zaniolo.

Manchester City's Champions League hero Rodri starts for Spain. Full team news to come...

Image source, Getty Images

It may not be the biggest international competition, but they all count!

We're set for part two of the Nations League semi-finals with Spain and Italy about to battle things out at FC Twente's stadium in Enschede, Netherlands.

Croatia await in the final having stunned hosts the Netherlands in a 4-2 thriller.

Who will join them? Let's find out...