Euro 2024,
Thursday, 20 June, 2024
McCreadie
Spain booked their spot in the last 16 of Euro 2024 with a dominant 1-0 win over Italy on Thursday evening.
Despite racking up an impressive amount of chances, it was an unfortunate own goal from Italy’s Riccardo Calafiori that separated the two sides. The result means Spain are now guaranteed to top Group B after hammering Croatia in their opener.
It took a little over a minute for Spain to deliver the first punch in the battle of two international giants. Nico Williams’ delicious cross to the penalty spot picked out an unmarked Pedri and the Barcelona midfielder’s header forced Gianluigi Donnarumma into a smart stop.
Spain were guilty of squandering another glorious opportunity in the tenth minute as they sliced through the reigning European champions. Alvaro Morata was provider on this occasion with a devilish delivery to the far post, but Williams inexplicably sent his header wide from just six yards.
Luis de la Fuente’s side continued to bamboozle their opponents as the half wore on, playing almost exclusively inside Italy’s final third. However, they couldn’t make their advantage count, with Donnarumma standing tall to keep out testing efforts from Morata and Fabian Ruiz.
Despite a dominant first half display in Gelsenkirchen, Spain were unable to find the all-important breakthrough. Their profligacy in the final third meant the match entered the second half finely poised, with Italy in need of significant improvements across the pitch.
Spain continued to overrun Italy after the restart but were once again left ruing their wastefulness. Pedri, who should have opened the scoring early in the first half, was picked out by Marc Cucurella inside the penalty area, but the 21-year-old was unable to sort his feet out as he rifled wide from close range.
However, it mattered little three minutes later as La Roja took the lead – even if it wasn’t a Spanish name on the scoresheet. Morata’s near-post flick was palmed out by Donnarumma, but the ball ricocheted off the leg of Calafiori and trundled into the back of the Italy net for the fifth own goal of the tournament.
Italy showed few signs of netting an undeserved equaliser but with only a goal between the sides, Spain couldn’t afford to take their foot off the gas. Williams did his best to establish a two-goal cushion but his powerful strike slammed the crossbar with 20 minutes remaining.
However, despite not adding to their lead following several late openings for substitute Ayoze Perez, Spain did manage to hold on under minimal pressure from a disappointing Italy side.
Spain finish up the group stages against Albania next Monday, with Italy taking on Croatia in their third and potentially final match of Euro 2024.