In Gelsenkirchen, Italy lost 1-0 against Spain, on the second day of the Euro 2024 group stage. The first half was scoreless, with the Spaniards dominating and challenging Donnarumma several times. In the 55th minute Calafiori’s own goal decided the match. Nico Williams also hits the crossbar in the 71st minute. Italy’s final forcing was useless. The national team coach immediately commented: “They were too strong, they won deservedly. Their freshness made the difference.” The Spaniards qualify for the round of 16 as first in group B, the match against Croatia on 24 June will be decisive for the Azzurri. On their debut, Spalletti’s men won against Albania, while De la Fuente’s men beat Croatia. In the afternoon, for group C, both Slovenia-Serbia and Denmark-England ended 1-1 (THE GROUPS AND THE CALENDAR – THE REPORT CARDS).
The news of Spain-Italy (THE HIGHLIGHTS)
The match between Spain and Italy ends 1-0. Spalletti starts with the same eleven that won against Albania. In the first half, Italy was in difficulty, with Spain threatening several times and challenging Donnarumma. Opportunities especially for Pedri, Nico Williams, Morata and Fabian Ruiz. For the Azzurri the clearest opportunity was that of Chiesa, who shot wide of the target in the 45th minute. The first half ends goalless. After the interval Frattesi and Jorginho come out, Cambiaso and Cristante come on (who receives the yellow card after 20 seconds for a late hard tackle on Rodri). In the second half Spain is still in control of the game. After several chances, the Spaniards found the lead in the 55th minute on an own goal: cross from the left by Nico Williams, Donnarumma deflected onto Calafiori, who inadvertently sent it into his own goal. Other opportunities followed for Morata, Le Normard and Lamine Yamal. In the 64th minute another double change for Spalletti: Chiesa and Scamacca out, Zaccagni and Retegui in. In the 66th minute, Italy is dangerous: Cristante puts an interesting ball at the near post, Retegui fails to hit. In the 71st minute the crossbar was hit by Nico Williams after a shot from outside the area. In the 82nd minute, last substitution for Spalletti: Raspadori comes on for Pellegrini. Italy throws itself forward, looking for a very important equalizer, but leaves room for Spain’s counterattacks, with Donnarumma still the protagonist on Ayoze Perez. After four minutes of injury time, and the Azzurri’s last chance on a corner, the referee blew the whistle: Italy lost 1-0 against Spain.
The scoreboard of Spain-Italy 1-0
10′ st Calafiori own goal
SPAIN (4-3-3): Unai Simon, Carvajal, Le Normand, Laporte, Cucurella; Fabian Ruiz (49′ st Merino), Rodri, Pedri (26′ st Baena), Yamal (26′ st Torres), Morata (33′ st Oyarzabal), Williams (33′ st Pérez). Ct. De La Fuente
ITALY (4-2-3-1): Donnarumma, Di Lorenzo, Bastoni, Calafiori, Dimarco; Barella, Jorginho (1′ st Cristante), Frattesi (1′ st Cambiaso), Chiesa (19′ st Zaccagni), Scamacca (19′ st Retegui), Pellegrini (37′ st Raspadori). Ct. Spalletti
Warned: Donnarumma for protests, Rodri, Cristante, Le Normand, Carvajal for unfair play.
see also
Who is Lamine Yamal, the youngest player of the 2024 European Championships
Italy qualifies if…
At this point the Azzurri are playing everything against Croatia. In case of victory in the last match of the group, Spalletti’s team would be certain of progressing to the round of 16 as runners-up. Even in the event of Spain’s defeat against Albania, in fact, the Red Furies would qualify first thanks to the victory in the direct clash against Italy. Even with a draw, Italy would be certain of finishing in second place in their group. Croatia would remain three points behind, while Albania, in the event of a victory against Spain, could at most reach us at 4, but would still be behind in the direct clashes. In the event of a defeat against Croatia, Italy could still hope to qualify among the best third-placed teams, provided that Albania does not beat Spain: in that case we would close the group in quarter-finals with 3 points behind Spain at 6, Croatia and Albania at 4. If Italy were to lose and Albania did not beat Spain, we would therefore be third and at that point we would have to go and see the situation of the third parties in the other groups, also taking into account the goal difference. In fact, with 3 points, qualification as the best third would be at risk, but still not certain.
