The 21-year-old striker found the back of the net twice to lift the Azzurri past the much-fancied Germans in Warsaw on Thursday.
Mario Balotelli scored twice to give Italy a surprise 2-1 victory over Germany and passage into the final of Euro 2012, where they will meet reigning European and world champions Spain.
Italy, who came into the contest as the underdogs, despite eliminating England in the quarter-finals, put on an exceptional showing in all aspects and were well worth their convincing victory over the ineffective Germans.
Balotelli, whose only goal of the competition had come against the Republic of Ireland, put Italy ahead in the 20th minute when he connected to a pinpoint cross from strike-partner Antonio Cassano with an unstoppable header.
Then in the 36th minute, the Manchester City ace fired home a long-range missile that found itself in the top right corner of the German goal, to the dismay of a stranded Manuel Neuer.
Germany, who failed to find anything close to the same form which saw them win all four of their games coming into the clash, hardly troubled the inspired Italians, but Real Madrid midfielder Mesut Oezil scored a consolation penalty for them in the 90th minute, after Federico Balzaretti handled the ball in the area.
Italy, whose only European Championship triumph came in 1968, dominated their opponents for much of the game, thanks in great part to their efficient and hard-working midfield led by Juventus veteran Andrea Pirlo.
Despite the fact that Cesare Prandelli's side controlled the Germans, Joachim Loew's side still looked quite dangerous when moving into the attacking third, and came close to scoring through Mats Hummels, Toni Kroos and Oezil.
But, as was the case against England, goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon made a number of fine saves, before and after Italy had taken the lead. Perhaps his most crucial stop came in the 62nd minute, when he stretched to push a Marco Reus free-kick off the crossbar.
While Italy set out to defend their two-goal advantage in the second half, they still pushed forward on swift counter-attacks at every opportunity, and could have sealed the result with clear goal-scoring attempts from Claudio Marchisio and Antonio Di Natale.
Italy will go onto face defending champions Spain in what promises to be a pulsating title decider in Kiev, Ukraine, on Sunday.
Italy, who came into the contest as the underdogs, despite eliminating England in the quarter-finals, put on an exceptional showing in all aspects and were well worth their convincing victory over the ineffective Germans.
Balotelli, whose only goal of the competition had come against the Republic of Ireland, put Italy ahead in the 20th minute when he connected to a pinpoint cross from strike-partner Antonio Cassano with an unstoppable header.
Then in the 36th minute, the Manchester City ace fired home a long-range missile that found itself in the top right corner of the German goal, to the dismay of a stranded Manuel Neuer.
Germany, who failed to find anything close to the same form which saw them win all four of their games coming into the clash, hardly troubled the inspired Italians, but Real Madrid midfielder Mesut Oezil scored a consolation penalty for them in the 90th minute, after Federico Balzaretti handled the ball in the area.
Italy, whose only European Championship triumph came in 1968, dominated their opponents for much of the game, thanks in great part to their efficient and hard-working midfield led by Juventus veteran Andrea Pirlo.
Despite the fact that Cesare Prandelli's side controlled the Germans, Joachim Loew's side still looked quite dangerous when moving into the attacking third, and came close to scoring through Mats Hummels, Toni Kroos and Oezil.
But, as was the case against England, goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon made a number of fine saves, before and after Italy had taken the lead. Perhaps his most crucial stop came in the 62nd minute, when he stretched to push a Marco Reus free-kick off the crossbar.
While Italy set out to defend their two-goal advantage in the second half, they still pushed forward on swift counter-attacks at every opportunity, and could have sealed the result with clear goal-scoring attempts from Claudio Marchisio and Antonio Di Natale.
Italy will go onto face defending champions Spain in what promises to be a pulsating title decider in Kiev, Ukraine, on Sunday.
