'We'll be back', says Sergio Busquets after Spain's bitter Euro 2020 exit

Spain bow out 4-2 on penalties to Italy in semi-finals

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  ITALY RATINGS: Gianluigi Donnarumma 7 - A big save in the first half kept the game even. The young goalkeeper had to deal with much more than usual on the night and dealt with the majority of questions asked. Saved Morata's penalty to put his side in position to win the shootout.

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  Emerson 7 - The Chelsea man had the difficult task of replacing Leonardo Spinazzola on Tuesday night and looked comfortable on the left flank. Surging runs up the park opened up the attack for Italy in some of their most dangerous moments.

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  Giorgio Chiellini 7 - No nonsense from Chiellini. The veteran defender may not have the passing range of some other players but his defensive work was as strong as ever at Wembley.

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  Giovanni Di Lorenzo 6 - Alert to the danger from a cross that was destined for Ferran Torres. Sometimes over-exuberant with a number of fouls.

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  Marco Verratti 6 - Had a difficult evening with Koke intent on reducing the playmaker’s time on the ball. Italy’s midfield couldn’t seem to control the game as well as usual at Wembley.

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  Nicolo Barella 5 - Tasked with nullifying Sergio Busquets who was having success transitioning the ball forwards. The Internazionale midfielder has been impressive throughout the tournament but he wasn’t at his best on Tuesday.

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  Lorenzo Insigne 5 - Not as effective as usual in a fairly quiet display from one of Italy’s best players at the tournament. Replaced by Belotti in the 85th minute.

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  Ciro Immobile 5 - Worked hard but not involved much overall. Replaced just after the hour.

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  SUB: Domenico Berardi (Immobile 62) 6 - An instant spark on the attack and forced Spain’s defence back. Should have done better with a couple of opportunities.

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  SUB: Matteo Pessina (Verratti 74) N/A - The Atalanta star has scored twice so far at Euro 2020 but couldn’t add to his tally on Tuesday night.

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  SUB: Rafael Toloi (Emerson 74) N/A - On for Emerson who had worked hard throughout the night.

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  SUB: Andrea Belotti (Insigne 85) N/A - Ran the channels well to provide an out-ball for teammates.

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  Unai Simon 7 - Sloppy start to second half and seemed reluctant to use his hands at times, but then made key saves, including in the penalty shoot out.

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  Cesar Azpilicueta 6 - Difficult to deal with Insigne on the left but good interception led to an attack where Busquets shot just over. His epic year so far ended here, but Spain’s issues were more up front than in defence.

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  Aymeric Laporte 8 - Spain’s best defender. He played a high line, a tactic vindicated as Spain had 70 per cent possession in the first half – an incredible stat. Made a key block just before Italy took the lead with a devastating counter. Touched the ball 160 times – more than any player in any game at the tournament.

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  Jordi Alba 7 - Set up Oyarzabal on 39 minutes in another rapid Spain move. Supported attacks, got wide and forward to give options. Carried the captain’s armband with pride at the end.

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  Pedri 9 - Key player as Spain totally outplayed Italy in the first half. Lovely first time passes as Spain dominated in midfield. The only player with 100 per cent passing accuracy in the first half – and he completed more than Verratti and Jorginho combined.

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  Sergio Busquets 8 - A master of the dark arts, he was eyeball to eyeball with Chiellini as the first half came to an end. He and Barça teammate Pedri were the main men. Badly missed when he went off.

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  Mikel Oyarzabal 6 - Started for first time in tournament. Played right and was one on one after 39 but ballooned the ball over the bar. Missed a header from six yards at the far most after 67 – another superb chance for Spain.

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  Ferran Torres 7 - Played left of Olmo in a surprise Spain starting XI. Shot wide after 14 minutes as Spain got over a pressured start to attack. Spain pressed hard and high and got their tactics right.

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  Daniel Olmo 7 - Surprise start ahead of Morata. Dropped into midfield when needed as Spain played a false nine. It confused and drew the Italians out in the first half. Shot wide after 67 minutes but set up Morata for the equaliser. Terrible penalty in the shoot out.

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  SUB: Morata 7 (On for Torres after 61). Couple of half chances but didn’t look confident – like when he had to strike for goal on 77 but was too hesitant. And then he scored, a clever, calm finish after 79. Poor, slow, penalty though.

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  SUB: Rodri 6 (On for Koke on 69). Played deep, too deep when Busquets went off.

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  SUB: Gerard Moreno 6 (On for Oyarzabal on 69). Couldn’t finish an epic season on a high. Scored his penalty, though.

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  SUB: Marcos Llorente 6 (On for Azpilicueta on 85). Made a difference on the right.

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  SUB: Thiago 5 (On for Busquets after 106). He was poor and gave the ball away too many times. Incredible confidence for his penalty though.

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  SUB: Pau Torres (On for Garcia on 109).

Spain captain Sergio Busquets said the team will return stronger after gaining vital experience during their run to the Euro 2020 semi-finals, despite losing on penalties to Italy on Tuesday.

"It's a shame, we would've have liked for our tournament not to end today but that's football," Busquets told Radio Marca.

"The team was very good, we were the better team for almost the whole match. We can be proud, I feel pride for my teammates. Everyone was making Italy favourites, but we showed we're better."

Alvaro Morata came off the bench to equalise late on for Spain at Wembley and cancel out Federico Chiesa's opening goal on the hour.

But Morata and Dani Olmo missed in the shoot-out after the match finished 1-1 following extra time, with Italy advancing to the final 4-2 on penalties.

"With lots of young players it will serve to give them confidence. This team will be back," said Busquets.

"On the whole I believe we were better, but football is like that and we have to congratulate them (Italy). There's still a year and a half to go until the World Cup, but we're on the right track."

Busquets, now 32, was the only current squad member to play at the 2010 World Cup, where Spain beat the Netherlands in the final.

The Barcelona midfielder refused to be drawn on his international future.

"It's not the moment to think about me. It's the moment to be sad and proud at the same time. It's not the moment to think about me, but of the group."