In a highly anticipated clash, Spain emerged victorious against Italy with a 1-0 win in Gelsenkirchen, securing their place in the 2024 European Championship Round of 16. Despite the narrow scoreline, it was a dominant performance from Luis de la Fuente’s side, who have now won both their group matches.
Match Overview
Spain started the game on the front foot, demonstrating their attacking intent early on. Pedri and Nico Williams had golden opportunities to put Spain ahead within the first ten minutes, but their headers went off-target. Alvaro Morata and Fabian Ruiz also came close to breaking the deadlock, but Italy’s goalkeeper, Gianluigi Donnarumma, made crucial saves to keep the score level.
Spain’s Breakthrough
The breakthrough came in the 60th minute, albeit in an unconventional manner. Following a powerful header from Morata, Donnarumma made a save that ricocheted off Riccardo Calafiori and into the net, resulting in an own goal. This unfortunate error by the Italian defender ultimately decided the game.
Italy’s Struggles
Italy struggled to create clear-cut chances throughout the match. Their best opportunity came early in the second half, but Pedri’s shot went wide, and Donnarumma managed to keep out Morata’s subsequent header. Despite a brief surge in the game’s latter stages, Italy couldn’t find a way past Unai Simon, who had a relatively quiet night.
Key Performances
Nico Williams (9/10)
Williams was the standout performer, terrorizing Italy’s defense throughout the match. His relentless pace and dribbling on the left flank caused nightmares for Di Lorenzo. Williams’ cross led to Calafiori’s own goal, and he was unlucky not to score himself, hitting the crossbar with a thunderous strike in the second half.
Marc Cucurella (8/10)
Cucurella justified his selection with an outstanding defensive display. He effectively neutralized Italy’s Federico Chiesa and contributed to Spain’s forward play. His ability to intercept passes and drive forward was crucial in maintaining Spain’s dominance.
Lamine Yamal (8/10)
The young winger was electric on the right side, consistently troubling Dimarco with his tricks and quick movements. Yamal nearly scored with a beautifully curled shot from 20 yards out that narrowly missed the target.
Fabian Ruiz (8/10)
Ruiz controlled the midfield, dictating the tempo and driving Spain forward. He was unfortunate not to score with a powerful long-range shot that forced an acrobatic save from Donnarumma.
Unai Simon (6/10)
Although Simon had little to do, he was solid when called upon, positioning himself well to snuff out Italy’s counter-attacks.
Manager’s Tactics
Luis de la Fuente’s decision to stick with the same lineup paid off handsomely. His choice to deploy both Yamal and Williams on the wings added significant width and pace to Spain’s attack, keeping Italy on the back foot throughout the game.
Substitutes
Ferran Torres (5/10): Didn’t make a significant impact after replacing Yamal.
Alex Baena (6/10): Played some neat passes as Spain pushed for a second goal.
Ayoze Perez (7/10): Showed moments of skill and forced two good saves from Donnarumma.
Mikel Oyarzabal (6/10): Came on for Morata in the final minutes.
Mikel Merino (N/A): Entered the game in stoppage time.
Conclusion
Spain’s victory over Italy underscores its potential as a strong contender in Euro 2024. With a spot in the Round of 16 secured, de la Fuente’s team can now focus on refining their play and preparing for the knockout stages. The impressive performances of players like Nico Williams and Lamine Yamal give Spain a promising outlook as they aim for further success in the tournament.
As Spain moves forward, fans and pundits will watch closely, anticipating more thrilling performances and strategic brilliance from this talented squad.
