EURO2024
Spain after gala in the round of 16 – Italy disappointed
The Spanish team celebrates the 1-0 win. Photo
© Julian Stratenschulte/dpa
In the duel between defending champions Italy and three-time European champions Spain, only the Iberians fulfilled expectations. Nevertheless, the Azzurri also have a good chance of reaching the round of 16.
In the stands, Spain’s King Felipe VI smiled and accepted the numerous congratulations, while on the pitch the players celebrated their well-deserved victory in the football classic against Italy. With another dominant performance, the Iberians have rewarded themselves with an early group victory at the European Championships.
After the 1-0 (0-0) win in Gelsenkirchen against the weak defending champions, the Iberians are the second team after Germany to reach the European Championship round of 16. The Azzurri, on the other hand, need at least one point in their last game against Croatia on Monday in Leipzig to secure second place. Spain will then face Albania in Düsseldorf, which also still has a chance of progressing.
An own goal by Riccardo Calafiori (55th minute) secured victory for the Spaniards in front of 49,528 spectators, who could have decided the game much earlier. “I’m very proud. It was a great game. Little by little we got loose. We wanted to do something big and we managed that. We took our chance and won,” said attacker Nico Williams after the title-worthy performance. “Of course we want to become European champions,” he said, setting out the clear goal.
The Nations League winners once again showed a convincing performance after their 3-0 win against Croatia and underlined their title ambitions. In the round of 16, Luis de la Fuente’s team will face a third-placed team in Cologne on June 30th.
Italy, on the other hand, was disappointing throughout the entire 90 minutes. “If you make so many bad passes, they have the quality to punish you. We are angry, but we should use that for the last game, we still have our fate in our own hands,” said Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma.
Donnarumma must save
At the last two European Championships, the Italians were the last stop for Spain. In 2021, the four-time world champions won the semi-finals on penalties on their way to winning the title, and in 2016 Italy won in the round of 16. The Iberians were therefore keen for revenge.
In front of their king, the Spaniards continued their strong performance against Croatia in the opening match: They were dominant, confident on the ball and made numerous impressive forward combinations. Donnarumma prevented the team from falling behind early on with several strong saves. After less than two minutes, he deflected a header from Pedri over the goal, and in the middle of the first half he parried a long-range shot from Fabián Ruiz. A header from Williams went wide of the goal (10′).
Williams and Yamal whirl
There was little sign of the feared Italian defensive strength at first. The defending champions were unable to get a grip on the lively Spanish wingers in particular. The Squadra Azzurra only managed to get close to the Iberians’ goal by counterattacking – but with very limited success. They did not create a real goal-scoring opportunity.
The Spanish left winger Williams in particular posed a threat time and again. The 16-year-old Lamine Yamal, who became the youngest player in European Championship history against Croatia at 16 years and 338 days, was a whirlwind on the right. It was only when the Italians worked together that they were able to stop their opponents at the last minute – or Donnarumma was there.
Spalletti reacts – without success
At halftime, the Azzurri could have been two or three goals behind. Coach Luciano Spalletti kept gesticulating angrily on the sidelines and, shortly before the halftime whistle, spread his arms almost in resignation. Even the cheers of the Italian fans, who were slightly in the majority, did not help.
Spalletti reacted and made two substitutions at half-time – but the game didn’t change much. On the contrary: Italy were no longer able to free themselves from the constant pressure of their opponents. Calafiori’s own goal was the logical consequence. And the Spaniards didn’t let up, Williams only hit the crossbar (70′). At least the Azzurri were able to avoid an even greater defeat with luck and further saves from Donnarumma.