Euro 2024: Spain secure spot in the last 16
Spain 1 - 0 Italy
Spain secured their spot in the last 16 of Euro 2024 with a scintillating performance against defending champions Italy in Gelsenkirchen.
They created countless chances and were utterly dominant, but won by a narrow scoreline thanks to an own goal by Riccardo Calafiori in the second half.
After being kept at bay by goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma for almost an hour, Alvaro Morata's flick-on was poked in by the knee of the unfortunate Calafiori.
There was no response from Italy, who were comfortably second best, despite playing their part in a captivating match.
Two European giants meeting in the group stage of the tournament meant there were high hopes and it lived up to its billing with an electric opening half. Spain delivered most of the eye-catching play, moving the ball around beautifully with intensity and creativity, while Italy succeeded in keeping them out - but only just.
At the Arena AufSchalke (Veltins-Arena) this evening, watching the Spain v Italy game ⚽️ #Euro2024 pic.twitter.com/Ru1VFvZWU8
— Chris Cowlin (@ChrisCowlin) June 20, 2024
They had Donnarumma to thank as he made three excellent saves, tipping over Pedri’s header in the first two minutes, before later denying Fabian Ruiz and Morata.
Spain’s Nico Williams should have scored when he headed wide, and then struck the crossbar, but he put in an impressive display alongside teenage sensation Lamine Yamal, 16, who played with freedom, curling an effort narrowly wide later on.
Italy had just three touches in the opposition box in the first half and not a single shot on target and did not up their game after the break.There were glimpses of a threat on the counter-attack but it was Spain who continued to rack up the chances - Pedri and Morata coming close again as they cruised into the last 16 with two wins from two matches, having not conceded.
Spain’s biggest chances came down the left as Williams, linking up with Chelsea’s Marc Cucurella, dominated proceedings and he was almost rewarded when he curled the ball on to the crossbar.
On several occasions Williams and Yamal nutmegged their opponents, receiving cries of adulation from Spanish supporters in the stands.
Midway through the second half Yamal, who impressed and got an assist in their opening 3-0 win over Croatia, turned to the crowd and waved his arms up and down, in a rallying cry to increase their noise - and they responded.
Italy, though they worked hard and kept their shape throughout, were unable to compete individually and were fortunate not to have conceded more, but Donnarumma was in excellent form. There was a late retaliation in the final minutes as Spain started to tire – players went down with cramp – and that was enough to give the Italian fans a boost.
But Spain substitute Ayoze Perez came close twice in quick succession right at the end only to be denied by the outstanding Donnarumma.
You can watch the highlights of the match in the video below.
The footage is from the BBC Sport YouTube account. What did you think of the match and the performance from both sides?
The Spanish players give their fans performance to savour. Those supporters will now be hoping they can go all the way,
For Italy, they still have a chance of progressing. They face Croatia on Monday and need a win to reach the next stage of the tournament.
