Spain advanced to the knockout stage of the European Championship after defeating defending champions Italy 1-0 on Thursday night.
EURO 2024
Result: Spain 1-0 Italy
Date: 20 June 2024
Venue: Arena AufSchalke
La Roja made only one change from their win over Croatia as Aymeric Laporte took the place of Nacho while the attack of Nico Williams, Alvaro Morata and Lamine Yamal continued.
Italy were unchanged from their come-from-behind win over Albania, with Federico Chiesa, Lorenzo Pellegrini and Davide Frattesi supporting lone striker Gianluca Scamacca.
Spain had a quick start as Pedri had a chance to catch the Azzurri cold in the first three minutes after bursting through on goal but goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma kept him at bay.
Luis de la Fuente's charges gained momentum towards the half-hour mark but Donnarumma was on top form, as he denied Yamal and Fabian Ruiz in quick succession.
Spain continued to dominate possession towards the end of the first stanza but they could carve out clear openings and the sides went to the break deadlocked.
La Roja had a bright start in the second stanza as ten minutes from the interval they eventually went ahead after Riccardo Calafiori could not keep out a flicked header by Morata, as a ricochet went into his own goal off his knee.
Spain remained on the front foot as on the hour-mark Pedri almost doubled their lead after cutting inside and curled a shot that missed narrowly wide.
De La Fuente looked for different combinations in attack 20 minutes before time, as he eventually withdrew Yamal and brought on Ferran Torres.
With eight minutes to go, Luciano Spalletti made an attacking change as Giacomo Raspadori replaced Pellegrini and the Azzurri started to threaten, as they got desperate for the equaliser.
However, Spain were a threat on transitions and late substitute Ayoze Perez almost sealed the game in added time after dribbling his way through on goal but his point-blank shot was smothered by Donnarumma.
In the end, La Roja did enough to maintain their 100 percent winning record and qualified for the knockout stages with a game to spare in Group B.
Italy remained second in the section although they fell three points behind Spain.
