Spain continues to impress at the European Championship in Germany. The Iberians beat Italy 1:0 in the second group game in Gelsenkirchen to advance to the round of 16.
The decisive goal conceded was extremely unfortunate from the Italians' point of view, but the defeat was not at all. The defending champions had their goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma to thank for keeping the score level until the 55th minute. He then deflected an Alvaro Morata header to the side with his fingertips, but it bounced off Riccardo Calafiori's leg and into his own goal. Bad luck for the former Basel player, but he didn't have much to blame himself for.
Only one Italy shot on goal
The goal was only logical, as Spain were a class above the Italians in this clash of giants. Less than two minutes had been played when Donnarumma had to save from Pedri in the greatest of emergencies. Great chances followed from Nico Williams (10th), Morata (25th) and Pedri (52nd) before the game finally got underway. The "Azzurri" were unable to get a grip on the game, particularly in midfield, and the substitutions of Jorginho and Davide Frattesi at half-time were logical but had little effect.
In any case, Spain were much closer to a 2-0 lead in the final half hour than Italy were to an equalizer. However, the omnipresent and ever-dangerous Nico Williams only hit the crossbar in the 70th minute, after Andrea Cambiaso had saved a header from defender Robin Le Normand on the line. It took until the 85th minute for the first ball to reach Spain goalkeeper Unai Simon's goal.
Spain group winners
It was only in the final phase that the (too) narrow lead caused a bit of a frenzy. However, the Spaniards, who were the only team so far to go a second game without conceding a goal after their 3-0 win over Croatia in the first game, managed to hold on to their 1-0 lead and are now group winners.
They will now face a third-placed team in the round of 16. Italy need at least a draw in their final match against Croatia to secure second place in the group. They would then face the runners-up of (Swiss) Group A in the round of 16.
Telegram:
Spain - Italy 1:0 (0:0)
Gelsenkirchen. - 49'528 spectators. - SR Vincic (SLO). - Goal: 55. Calafiori (own goal) 1:0.
Spain: Simon; Carvajal, Le Normand, Laporte, Cucurella; Rodri; Pedri (71. Baena), Ruiz (94. Merino); Yamal (71. Torres), Morata (78. Oyarzabal), Williams (78. Perez).
Italy: Donnarumma; Di Lorenzo, Bastoni, Calafiori, Dimarco; Barella, Jorginho (46. Cristante); Frattesi (46. Cambiaso), Pellegrini (82. Raspadori), Chiesa (64. Zaccagni); Scamacca (64. Retegui).
Remarks: 70th Williams shot on target. Cautions: 15 for Donnarumma. 45th Rodri (suspended for next match). 46 Cristante. 69th Le Normand. 95th Carvajal.
Results and standings:
Results. Wednesday: Croatia - Albania 2:2 (0:1). - Thursday: Spain - Italy 1:0 (0:0).
Ranking: 1. Spain 6. 2. Italy 3. 3. Albania 1. 4. Croatia 1.
