Spain Secures Last-16 Spot with Commanding Win Over Italy at Euros

Spain confirmed their place in the Euro 2024 knockout stage with a match to spare following a 1-0 victory over Italy on Thursday. The win ensured La Roja topped Group B with an impeccable performance at Gelsenkirchen.

The decisive moment came nine minutes into the second half when Riccardo Calafiori’s own goal broke the deadlock, originating from Nico Williams’ relentless pressure on Napoli’s Giovanni Di Lorenzo.

Captain Alvaro Morata expressed satisfaction with Spain’s performance, noting, “We had quite a few really good chances, but we’re very happy because we showed that we are a great team and that we can stifle any team.”

Spain, under Luis de la Fuente’s guidance, now leads Group B with six points and will face Albania next Monday already assured of their place in the knockout rounds, showcasing potential championship form.

For Italy, the defeat served as a reality check as they failed to register a shot on target against Spain’s formidable defense. Gianluigi Donnarumma, despite making eight saves, acknowledged their shortcomings: “We misplaced too many easy passes and didn’t play with enough quality.”

Reflecting on past encounters, the performance echoed shades of Spain’s dominant display in the Euro 2012 final, where they triumphed 4-0 over Italy.

Italy, currently second in the group with three points, looks ahead to a crucial match against Croatia. A draw in that fixture would secure their qualification to the knockout stage behind Spain.

Nico Williams emerged as a standout for Spain, causing constant trouble for the Italian defense. Early missed opportunities from Pedro and Williams highlighted Spain’s initial dominance, with Donnarumma pivotal in keeping Italy’s hopes alive throughout the match.

Spain continued to press after the break, with Pedri missing another clear chance before Williams’ dynamic play led to the decisive own goal by Calafiori.

Despite late efforts from Italy to find an equalizer, including substitutions aimed at injecting new energy, Donnarumma’s late heroics prevented further damage to the scoreline.

The result sets up an intriguing final group stage match for both teams, with Spain looking to maintain their momentum and Italy seeking to rectify their performance heading into the knockout phase of Euro 2024.