Ricardo Calafiori’s personal purpose despatched Spain into the final 16 of Euro 2024 as Group B winners after beating Italy 1-0.
Spain impressed once more, thrashing Croatia 3-0 of their opening sport, and may have received by extra in Gelsenkirchen had it not been for a mixture of wonderful saves from Italian Gianluigi Donnarumma and a few poor ending.
They dominated from the beginning, with Donnarumma springing into motion inside two minutes, making a spectacular save from Pedra’s close-range header.
Nico Williams terrorized Italy right-back Giovanni Di Lorenzo and may have headed dwelling from the six-yard field earlier than Donnarumma saved twice extra from Alvaro Maratha and a long-range blast from Fabian Ruiz.
Spain picked up the place that they had left off within the second half when Pedri transformed a golden probability minutes after the restart, however Italy made their work tough when defender Calafiori changed into his personal web after Williams’ low cross.
Calafiori nearly scored a second, Andrea Cambiaso heading his team-mate’s goal-line nook, whereas 16-year-old Lamine Yamal and Williams continued to dazzle, the previous firing inches extensive of the highest left nook and the latter hitting within the crossbar with scrumptious curlers.
Italy had been merely outplayed with only one shot on the right track and Donnarumma saved them in it till the final minute with a late save from substitute Ayoze Perez when one on one.
Star artist: “Williams pure high quality”
Sky Sports activities’ Roy Keane on ITV:
“It was pure high quality. Actual tempo, you possibly can’t practice it. It is a risk. When he goes one-on-one with a fullback, there are issues for the fullback.
“He can go left or proper. His shot and cross are glorious. He confirmed nice power at instances and his angle was spot on.
“He was one of the best participant on the park.”
Statistics: Historical past of the match
Whereas in Group B…
