Euro 2024: Spain show dominant display in victory against defending champions Italy

The Spanish national team joined Germany in the next round and became the second team to qualify for the Round of 16.

Luis de la Fuente’s team dominated the game and created several chances before getting a 1-0 victory to seal the win.

There was just one change to the Spain side that defeated Croatia in their opening match, as Nacho dropped to the bench, with Aymeric Laporte replacing him after recovering from a muscle injury while Lamine Yamal kept his place in the side.

For Italy, it was the same team that narrowly recorded a 2-1 win over Albania, with Alessandro Bastoni and Nicolò Barella scoring the goals.

The first half kicked off with Spain dominating most of the possession, as expected, and creating lots of chances.

Nico Williams and Pedri had the chance to put Spain in the lead but failed to convert their chance with the first half ending in a goalless draw.

The second half started, and Spain kept on putting pressure on the Italian defence, and their pressure paid off in the 55th minute.

Nico Williams charged down the left and crossed for Alvaro Morata, who got a tiny deflection on the ball. The Italy keeper dived to keep it out but he ended up pushing the ball against Riccardo Calafiori and it bounced off the defender's leg and went in.

Spain kept pushing for the second goal, but Donaruma was always available to make some saves and keep the game within a goal.

Italy put pressure late in the game on the Spain defence but could not get an equaliser as the game ended in a 1-0 victory for Spain.