Spain 1-0 Italy
Spain made it through to the Euro 2024 knockout stages on Thursday night after they saw off Italy by a single goal in Gelsenkirchen.
But that wasn’t half the story.
In my SBOTOP pick of the match of the week it was a more one sided affair than any of us could have imagined, and it took an own goal to give the totally dominant Spaniards the victory, early in the second half.
After Spain swept Croatia aside and Italy worked a way to beat Albania they both came into this game with hopes of an early escape from the group stage and La Roja deservedly took that chance, but Italy have more work to do.
Highlights of the game
This Spain team has more dynamism than those of yesteryear and, with just a minute on the clock, they came desperately close to scoring. Nico Williams burst down the left flank, beat his man and, with a beautiful delivery, he crossed onto the head of Pedri but Gianluigi Donnarumma tipped the effort over. And, on ten minutes Williams had a golden chance when Alvaro Morata whipped a brilliant ball in but, with the goal gaping, he directed his header a foot wide.
With Williams on one wing and 16 year old Lamine Yamal on the other, Spain were having plenty of success and Yamal almost created an opening for Morata after an incredible mazy run; and then Fabian Ruiz brought a fingertip save from Donnarumma with a superb drive. Yamal has a bright future and he’s going to make plenty of Euro 2024 highlights, that’s for sure.
Spain were all over the Italians but the Azzurri held firm, Alessandro Bastoni making a crucial intervention to stop Pedri putting in Williams, to keep the scores blank at half time.
The second half began in the same way as the first, Spain putting together a sweeping move and when Marc Cucurella pulled the ball back for Pedri he scooped his shot wide.
And then, La Roja scored and, after the Spaniards had taken so many shots in the first half, it was an Italy player who handed them a lead. Williams raided down the left again and his cross was glanced across the box by Morata; Donnarumma got his hand to the ball but it bounced off Riccardo Calafiori’s knee and into the net.
Spain carried on in search of a second and Yamal curled a shot inches wide; and while Italy began to find a foothold in the game their passing was ponderous and Spain’s high pressing quickly turned over possession. The ever lively Williams was inches away from a second when he went on an electrifying run, cut in and curled his howitzer onto the crossbar and away to safety.
Life is never easy at 1-0 though, and Lorenzo Pellegrini had a chance to level for Italy but he sent his free kick over the bar. And while the Azzurri belatedly showed some attacking intent it was far too little and far too late.
Key statistics
These two teams are old friends in the Euros, meeting in the last five competitions and this was their 13th tournament meeting in all. They have had plenty of success, Italy as reigning champions and Spain as Kings of Europe in 2008 and 2012.
Tonight the first half was all Spain as they dominated from the off, with 63 per cent possession, nine shots to one as Federico Chiesa hit a wild one for Italy on 45 minutes and four to none on target. But it was still 0-0.
The final tally was 20 shots to four and nine to one on target. Spain’s winning margin should have been so much higher.
Italy substitute Bryan Cristante made history when he was booked just 20 seconds after coming on the pitch, the fastest a sub has been cautioned in the competition’s history.
What’s next?
At the start of this blockbuster clash both teams had a chance to qualify for the knockout phase and Spain are through.
Even so, the Euro 2024 betting odds have both Spain and Italy as quarter-finalists at least so the Azzurri, with three points in the bag leaves them in a decent place. But Albania’s draw with Croatia on Wednesday means that second place is still up for grabs in Group B and all will be resolved next Monday 24th June when Spain meet Albania and Italy face Croatia.
The Albanians have won huge admiration in their second appearance at the European Championships, while Croatia were World Cup finalists in 2018. The Group of Death is living up to its name and there may be another twist to come.
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