Spain v Italy LIVE: Result and reaction as Nico Williams skill forces own goal winner in Euro 2024 clash
Spain 1-0 Italy: Riccardo Calafiori’s own goal sends Spain into the knockout rounds
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Riccardo Calafiori’s own goal handed Spain a 1-0 victory over defending champions Italy as they booked their place in the last 16 at Euro 2024.
The defender’s misfortune 10 minutes after the break ultimately settled the Group B contest in Gelsenkirchen, although had it not been for the heroics of keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, who made a string of fine saves, and the crossbar, which denied the impressive Nico Williams a deserved goal, the Spaniards would have prevailed in some comfort.
Spain would have been ahead within two minutes had Donnarumma not managed to tip Pedri’s header from Williams’ pinpoint cross over his bar, and the traffic was very much one-way throughout most of the game.
Relive the updates from Spain v Italy below.
Nico Williams lights up Spain and gives Euro 2024 a flash of something unmissable
As Nico Williams weighed up Giovanni Di Lorenzo in the early moments of the second half on a charged evening in Gelsenkirchen, the Italy defender must have felt as if his night was never going to end.
Williams had been everywhere but still had one more trick: Italy had compromised their gameplan in an attempt to finally subdue the thrilling Spain winger, but Williams carried the spirit of this young team and simply went again as he found the avenue to his left.
A moment that had been building since kick-off finally arrived as Williams produced the cross that led to Riccardo Calafiori’s own goal.
By the end, Spain had battered Italy 1-0.
Nico Williams lights up Spain and gives Euro 2024 a flash of something unmissable
Spain 1-0 Italy: The 21-year-old Williams was electric as the Spanish dominated the reigning European champions in one of the performances of the tournament so far
Just when you think you’ve seen it all, Euro 2024 offers something new with Spain and Italy duel
Just when you think Euro 2024 has given you a bit of everything, it gives you something new. Because Spain’s Group B clash with Italy, the tournament’s first meeting of major footballing nations, was certainly different to every game that came before it.
Just one hour earlier, a rematch of one of the 2021 semi-finals had concluded – England drawing with Denmark – and Thursday’s late game carried the same status, but greater prestige.
Other games in Germany this week had felt like big ‘occasions’, but this felt like the first big match, in a purely sporting tense. It was as if this was a semi-final.
Just when you think you’ve seen it all, Euro 2024 offers something new
Spain 1-0 Italy: This was the first meeting of major footballing nations at Euro 2024, and it delivered – but in a unique way
Gary Neville on Spain’s performance:
“Spain could have been two or three up at half-time. They weren’t ruthless at the last tournament, is that going to carry on to this one and is it going to cost them in the end?
“They should be scoring more goals with some of the football they are playing, which is outstanding.”
Spain vs Italy player ratings: Pedri and Nico Williams the stars as La Roja win Euro 2024 Group B
Spain won their second match at Euro 2024 by beating Italy 1-0, ensuring they’ll top Group B regardless of the final round of games.
La Roja were dominant throughout and actually wasted three or four great chances to open the scoring before Riccardo Calafiore turned a Nico Williams cross into his own net. It leaves Italy second, with Croatia and Albania both on a point apiece ahead of the final round of games.
Here are the player ratings for both teams from the match:
Spain vs Italy ratings: Pedri and Williams the stars in La Roja win
An own goal decided the match which leaves Italy still needing a result next time out
FT Spain 1-0 Italy
Group B standings:
Spain - 6 points
Italy - 3 points
Albania - 1 point
Croatia - 1 point
Full-time! Spain 1-0 Italy
90+4 mins: There goes the final whistle!
Spain get over the line against Italy and qualify for the last-16. Gianluigi Donnarumma had to come up with a couple of last ditch saves towards the end of the game but Italy couldn’t capitalise.
Spain’s goal was fortuitous but they deserved the victory and now sit top of Group B on their own.
Spain 1-0 Italy
90 mins: Four minutes of added time to play. Will Spain close this game out or is there a way back for Italy?
Spain 1-0 Italy
86 mins: Italy win a corner with most of the target men gathered by the back post. The delivery comes to the near one and gets flicked on but Unai Simon plucks the ball out of the air and calms things down for Spain.
Spain 1-0 Italy
83 mins: This is good work from Spain. Ayoze Perez makes a weaving run down the left wing and keeps possession for as long as he can.
When Italy win it back Spain are sat ready to defend with a fluid, compact shape.
Spain 1-0 Italy
80 mins: Alvaro Morata and Nico Williams now make their way off the pitch for Spain. They’ve both played pivotal parts in getting their team into the lead but will miss the final 10 minutes of this close encounter.
Replacing them are Ayoze Perez and Mikel Oyarzabal.
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