Watch: Saul's hat-trick condemns 10-man Italy, fires Spain to U-21 final

Saul Niguez produced a second half to remember Tuesday, as the energetic Atletico Madrid midfielder eviscerated 10-man Italy with a trio of goals - including a rocket of a shot from distance - that launched Spain into the European Under-21 Championship final.

With a tournament-leading five goals to his name, Saul ensured the 3-1 victory and a chance for La Furia Roja to claim a joint-record fifth title in the competition's history.

Albert Celades Lopez's side will face Germany in Friday's showpiece event in Krakow, Poland.

Spain has now made three of the past four finals at the U-21 Euros.

Saul opened the scoring after the interval with a well-placed shot past a diving Gianluigi Donnarumma.

The Azzurrini lost a man minutes later, as Roberto Gagliardini picked up two yellow cards in quick succession.

That did not immediately deter the Italians. Federico Bernardeschi took advantage of sleepy defending off a free-kick to squeeze a shot through a sea of legs and into the net.

The resistance, however, ended there.

Saul took centre stage again - this time earning a spot on the highlight reel with a thunderous 30-yard strike.

The 22-year-old completed the hat-trick in the 74th minute, joining Marco Asensio and Thiago Alcantara as the only Spaniards to record three tallies in a single U-21 match.