The Chelsea duo both came through the full 90 minutes in Milan, as a brace from Ferran Torres ensured the it would be La Roja that would reach the Nations League final next week where they will meet either France or Belgium.

The Blues pair lined up at right and left full-back, while Italy boss Robert Mancini selected Jorginho and Emerson Palmieri in his starting line-up.

Man City forward Torres got Spain off to the perfect start with the opener after 17 minutes with a tidy finish. Just before the break, the task got tougher for Italy as Leonardo Bonucci was shown a second yellow card before Torres made the hosts pay for the man disadvantage by adding his and Spain’s second on the stroke of half-time.

Alonso almost marked his return to the Spanish fold with a goal, but was denied by a smart save from Gianluigi Donnarumma who got down low to deny the Chelsea left-back.

Mancini’s side did pull a goal back through substitute Lorenzo Pellegrini – who came on for Jorginho not long after the hour-mark - with seven minutes remaining and although they pushed for an equaliser, Azpilicueta and Alonso and the rest of the Spanish backline stayed firm and secured an impressive win.

The defeat for Italy, who won Euro 2020 in the summer, means their incredible 37-game unbeaten run comes to an end and they will now prepare for a third-place play-off in Turin on Tuesday.

Earlier on Wednesday, Harvey Vale started for England Under-19s, as they were defeated 3-1 by France in Marbella with Aaron Ramsey on target for the Young Lions.

Elsewhere, Bryan Fiabema stole the show for Norway Under-19s, hitting home a hat-trick in their 3-0 win over Kosovo and duly being named Man of the Match.