SPAIN face reigning European champions Italy in their second group game in a massive group game today.
The two sides meet at Arena AufSchalke in Gelsenkirchen in a match which could ultimately decide Group B.
- Kick-off time: 8pm
- Stream: ITV1
- Spain XI: Unai Simón; Carvajal, Le Normand, Laporte, Cucurella; Rodri, Fabián, Pedri; Nico Williams, Yamal; Morata
- Italy XI: Donnarumma; Di Lorenzo, Bastoni, Calafiori, Dimarco; Jorginho, Barella; Frattesi, Pellegrini; Chiesa, Scamacca
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Dominant display sees La Roja through
After this win against Italy, Spain are now guaranteed to progress from Group B in Euro 2024.
Not that Luis de la Fuente will let his squad take their foot off the gas, they will want to win every game they play.
Spain dominated the game, even if the scoreline does not totally reflect their performance.
A new look Spain send statement
While it may not be the tiki-taka football of years gone by, this fresh young Spanish side have something different.
They have the players to retain the ball while still being able to pass a ball to pick the lock of any defence.
What is really different with this team though is that, due to insane pace of Yamal and Williams, they are happy to go direct with balls in behind the defence also.
They will face tougher tests in this tournament but there are not many sides that will be able to lock horns with this Spanish side.
Young winger draws plaudits
Nico Williams is often linked to some of the biggest clubs in world football and tonight you could see why.
He has pace and skill in abundance and can haunt the dreams of any full back.
It was his cross that forced the own goal and he struck the crossbar with a thunderous shot from outside the box.
A true ‘man of the match’ performance from Williams.
Credit: Getty
Spanish midfield sparkles in Gelsenkirchen
While much of the talk is of Rodri and Pedri for La Roja, one player who goes under the radar often is Fabian Ruiz.
He offers so much in attack but presses the opponents’ defence to stop them getting out of their own half.
Ruiz came close to scoring on a couple of occasions and was a stand-out performer for Luis de la Fuente’s side.
FT: Spain 1-0 Italy
Spain could have won this game by three or four goals.
They need to be more clinical when they get to the knockout phase of the competition or may pay the price.
Italy struggled to give the Spanish keeper anything to do all evening.
FT: Spain 1-0 Italy
The referee brings the game to a close.
While it is a slender win by scoreline, Spain dominated this game from start to finish.
Italy struggled to cope with their pace and creativity all evening.
Spain 1-0 Italy
90+4. Italy try to go for an equaliser for one last time.
The ball is cut back from the byline and headed behind for a corner.
Chance for Italy to send all their big defenders forward once again.
Spain 1-0 Italy
90+2. Some brilliant skill by Ayoze Perez for Spain.
He nutmegs the Italian defender and gets a shot off at goal but it is well blocked by Donnarumma.
Moments later he is through again but the big Italian keeper gets down well to prevent his shot going into the far corner.
Spain 1-0 Italy
90. Carvajal makes a terrible dive to try and win a free kick.
That truly was embarrassing by the Real Madrid full back.
We are going to have four added minutes.
Spain 1-0 Italy
88. This is a period of the game now that The Azzurri can patiently build and look to create that one clear-cut chance before the final whistle.
That is all it will take to get an unlikely equaliser.
It is crazy to think that Italy have not played at a World Cup finals for ten years now.
Credit: AP Spain 1-0 Italy
86. As Italy send all their big defenders up for the corner, it is whipped into the near post.
It is flicked on by an Italian boot but Simon watches it all the way and gathers.
Spain seem to have taken their foot off the gas now and are dropping deep.
Spain 1-0 Italy
84. Italy certainly look like they are lacking some quality in the creativity of this team.
All of their attacks look laboured and there does not seem to be any flair at all.
That said, none of this will matter if they manage to grab a late equaliser.
Spain 1-0 Italy
82. Italy are opting for a direct balls over the top of the Spanish defence to try and catch out some tired legs.
Simon has had so little to do this evening that he is as fresh as any of the recently added players and comes out to collect.
You can see since the changes now that this Spanish side do not look the same proposition when ‘The A-Team’ are not on the pitch.
Spain 1-0 Italy
80. We are into the final ten minutes of the game.
Spain need to be careful not to concede a goal against the run of play now.
They have worked hard today and fully deserve their win, but football often does not respect such facts.
Spain 1-0 Italy
78. Torres puts a teasing ball across the penalty area.
Morata tries to get a boot to it but misses and the referee awards a free kick to the Italians.
That is the last action tonight for the Spanish skipper as he joins Williams in leaving the pitch.
Perez and Oyarzabal come on for Spain.
Credit: AFP
Spain 1-0 Italy
76. Well, this game has answered some questions this evening.
If anyone thought that Italy were contenders for this trophy, think again.
It looks more likely that Croatia will fancy their chances of beating The Azzurri to progress to the knockout phase.
Spain 1-0 Italy
74. Pellegrini tries his luck from a free kick in a relatively wide position.
It drifts over the crossbar and is causing no problems for Simon.
If Italy were to get an equaliser against the run of play it would seem a harsh justice for Spain.
Spain 1-0 Italy
72. Pedri and Yamal come off for La Roja.
They are replaced by Baena and Torres.
de la Fuente seeing it as time to rest some of his young talent now.
Spain 1-0 Italy
70. Brilliant play from Williams once again.
He runs at the defender and cuts inside onto his right foot before trying to bend one in the top corner of the goal.
The ball thunders back off the crossbar and back into play.
Spain 1-0 Italy
68. The Italians look to have a little more about them in the forward areas now.
Di Lorenzo is having a good battle with Williams, with the Italian doing much better in this second half.
Spain continue to pass it around but Italy are looking to press more and are not giving them time on the ball.
Credit: Getty Spain 1-0 Italy
66. Cambiasso gets down the right wing and puts a teasing ball across the six yard box.
There is no Italian player there to poke it home.
First sign of intent from Italy.
Spain 1-0 Italy
64. Italy make some more changes as Chiesa and Scamacca make way.
Retegui and Zaccagni both join the game for The Azzurri.
Spalletti deciding they need some form of creativity up top now.
Spain 1-0 Italy
62. Italy come forward for the first time in the second half.
The cross is poor and is easily dealt with by the Spanish defence.
This has been a long night for the Italians and there is just under half an hour still to play.
Spain 1-0 Italy
60. Italy are being truly outclasses in this game.
Yamal receives the ball on the right and cuts onto his left foot before trying to bend one in the far corner.
Donnarumma is at full stretch but the effort shaves the wrong side of the post.
Spain 1-0 Italy
58. Some lovely build-up play from Spai down the left again.
The ball is worked to Morata in the middle, with only shooting at goal on his mind.
It is straight at Donnarumma, from some distance, but he has to palm it over the crossbar.
Credit: Getty
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
