Spain outclass Euros defending champions
Three-time European champions Spain advanced to the round of 16 at Euro 2024 after a 1-0 win against holders Italy yesterday.
A 55th-minute own goal by Riccardo Calafiori settled the Group B game at the Veltins Arena in Gelsenkirchen. But that didn’t begin to tell the story of a statement performance from Spain, which surely marks them as one of the favourites to win a recordextending fourth European Championship.
“I think it was the best Spain performance I have taken charge of,” coach Luis de la Fuente said. “I don’t see a ceiling on this team. The sky is the limit.”
Spain totally dominated defending champions Italy, with 16-year-old winger Lamine Yamal further enhancing his reputation as one of soccer’s most exciting young stars.
Player of the match Nico Williams also tormented Italy’s defenders and was the width of the crossbar away from scoring in the second half.
It took Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma to keep the score down with a string of fine saves until inadvertently pushing the ball into the legs of Calafiori, who couldn’t prevent it from ricocheting into his own goal.
“They deserved to win and we were never in the game,” Italy coach Luciano Spalletti said.
Spain produced a throwback performance that brought to mind the years when they ruled international football when winning backto-back Euros and the World Cup from 2008 through 2012.
Chances came thick and fast in the first half, but for all of Spain’s superiority, it took the own goal to break the deadlock after halftime.
Donnarumma pushed Alvaro
Morata’s glancing header into the legs of Calafiori, who could only watch as the ball ricocheted into the back of the net.
Spain have endured frustrating times since they last won the Euros in 2012, with early exits from the last three World Cups. At the last Euros, they lost on penalties to Italy in the semifinals.
Having won the UEFA Nations League last year, they look wellpositioned to add another major title.