Ahead of this clash with Italy, Spain was undefeated in their last four games in all competitions, and tonight, they extended that streak, easily defeating the mediocre Azzurri 1-0. The result is not convincing enough to indicate how much La Furia controlled the whole game. In the end, Spain had 21 shots, compared to Italy, which had only four. Gianluigi Donnarumma had as many as four saves already in the first half, Spain had nine shots on target in total and even hit the crossbar. On the other hand, the Italians had no colossal chances tonight.Performance like this won’t bring it homeAlready in the second minute of the game, Nico Williams sent a perfect cross into the box, where Pedri tried with a header, but Donnarumma reacted incredibly and tipped the ball over the crossbar. Eight minutes later, another chance for La Furia. This time, Williams headed the ball after Alvaro Morata’s cross, but his strike went narrowly wide. Spain continued to dominate the first half, with two chances in two minutes. First, in the 23rd, Lamine Yamal went past Federico Dimarco and slipped the ball through for Morata, but Donnarumma denied the Spanish captain. Only two minutes later, Fabian Ruiz let the ball fly from almost 30 meters, but the Italian skipper managed to tip the ball over the bar.However, although La Furia was vastly superior to the Azzurri, the result remained level at the break, mainly thanks to the fantastic Donnarumma. Spain’s youngsters, Williams on the left side, Yamal on the right, and Pedri in the middle, tormented the Italian defence throughout the entire first half. The best proof of Spanish dominance was the number of shots: 9-1 (4-0 on target) in favour of La Furia Roja.Luciano Spalletti subbed in Andrea Cambiaso and Bryan Cristante for Jorginho and Davide Frattesi, and Roma’s midfielder managed to make history, being booked only 20 seconds upon coming on at halftime! But even those subs didn’t help. Six minutes into the second half, Marc Cucurella cut the ball back for Pedri, but he shot it wide from close range. Nevertheless, another miss didn’t discourage the Spaniards, who managed to break the deadlock three minutes later – truth be said, with the help of the Italians. Namely, Williams sent the cross into the box, Morata barely touched the ball, Donnarumma made a deflection, and the ball flicked off Riccardo Calafiori into the net.11 – Nico Williams 🇪🇸 has attempted 11 dribbles against Italy tonight (completing four of them), being the player with the most attempted in a single game at #EURo2024 . Style. pic.twitter.com/T4zQchYkTF— OptaJose (@OptaJose) June 20, 2024 Still, Spain continued with the attacks. Yamal bent the ball from outside the box, but it went inches wide of the post. The 71st minute brought another chance for La Furia. Williams cut inside and rattled the crossbar with a tremendous strike. A minute later, Luis de la Fuente decided to replace Pedri and Yamal with Ferran Torres and Alex Baena. At that moment, probably the entire Italy breathed a sigh of relief. In the added time, Ayoze Perez had a one-on-one situation with Donnarumma, but the Italian magically saved it. With this victory, Spain qualified for the next round of the EURO 2024, while the clash between Italy and Croatia in the 3rd round will decide who will join La Furia Roja.EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP – GROUP STAGEWednesdayCroatia – Albania 2-2 (0-1)/Kramaric 74, Gjasula 76 og – Laci 11, Gjasula 90+4/Germany – Hungary 2-0 (1-0)/Musiala 22, Gundogan 67/Scotland – Switzerland 1-1 (1-1)/McTominay 13 – Shaqiri 26/ThursdaySlovenia – Serbia 1-1 (0-0)/Karnicnik 69 – Jovic 90+5/Denmark – England 1-1 (1-1)/Hjulmand 34 – Kane 18/Spain – Italy 1-0 (0-0)/Calafiori 55 og/Friday16.00: (3.50) Slovakia (3.30) Ukraine (2.15)19.00: (3.30) Poland (3.40) Austria (2.20)22.00: (3.15) Netherlands (3.35) France (2.30)
