Team B Match: Spain 1 (Calafiori own goal at 55′) – Italy 0
Spain secured their place in the knockout stage of the European Championships alongside Germany, following a decisive victory against Italy. Overcoming Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma was no small task, but Spain consistently applied the pressure until their efforts paid off.
Despite a demanding 54-minute pursuit, Spain were finally rewarded when Nico Williams orchestrated a goal. Recognised as one of the rising talents of the tournament, Williams skilfully dribbled down the line, delivering a low cross that Álvaro Morata skillfully redirected. Although Donnarumma managed to get a hand on the ball, he inadvertently clubbed it into Riccardo Calafiori’s leg resulting in a successful yet unfortunate own goal.
Spain may have clinched the match with just a one-nil victory, but the effort put forth could have easily translated to a four-goal lead by the sixtieth minute. The match resembled the predictable cat-and-mouse chase of Wile E. Coyote and the Road Runner with one difference – this time, the Road Runner did not manage to evade capture.
The matchup was a visual treat, a magisterial showdown where Italy boldly played the Spanish game. Williams easily manoeuvred past right-back Giovanni Di Lorenzo and interchanged positions with Morata. This tactical switch led Spain to three early chances that only failed to convert into goals due to Donnarumma’s outstanding performance.
As the reigning European champions, Italy owed much to their star Paris-Saint Germain goalkeeper. His penalty saves during the shootout at Wembley in 2021 are unforgettable.
The elusive Williams found Pedri in just 88 seconds, who then aimed a perfect header, only to be foiled by Donnarumma’s remarkable save. While Williams missed a central header, his gameplay was seamless and direct.
Italy’s rising stars were thrown into the question with Spain’s onslaught—How would they fare? The response lay in their sheer bravery. Nicolò Barella remained composed in the face of Spanish dominance, especially against Rodri, 16-year-old Lamine Yamal, and Williams. Federico Dimarco was a constant threat on the left flank. Luciano Spalletti’s strategy was clear: absorb the Spanish pressure and strike back on the counter. The result of the match? An admirable attempt to defeat or fail in the process.
The match was brimming with tension as Morata narrowly missed netting a goal, courtesy of Yamal’s uncanny talent to carve out space. And Fabián Ruiz’s powerful shot necessitated more brilliance from Donnaruma. Despite Spain dominating the possession by 60% and taken five shots, four of them being on target, the scoreboard remained unchanged at half-time: 0-0. The Azzurri hadn’t managed a single shot on goal yet. Both teams exchanged nine hard tackles, with only two reprimands handed out by the Slovenian referee, Slavko Vinčić, for Donnarumma and Rodri’s transgressions. The latter will be serving a suspension in Dusseldorf against Albania on Monday.
As the second half commenced, Andrea Cambiaso and Bryan Cristante substituted Jorginho and Davide Frattesi, adding more density to the centre. However, the scene stayed the same. Spain looked likely to score at any point. Pedro missed an easy chance after a brilliant run and cutback by Cucurella. Persistent in their approach, Spain kept up their offensive play, similar to England against Serbia and Denmark.
Yamal exhibited his brilliance again, narrowly hitting the net’s top corner. Despite their five-year age difference, Yamal has matched up to Williams’ impact on the field. After decades of anticipation, Spalletti got his chance, having led Naples to their first league title after Diego Maradona’s era last year. Ruthlessly making strategic substitutes, Scamacca and Chiesa made way for Mateo Retegui and Mattia Zaccagni.
Yet the scene remained the same. The spectators roared “Nico, Nico, Nico” as Williams skilfully dodged Di Lorenzo to fire an attempt that hit the crossbar. Dominating the play, the Spanish coach Luis De La Fuente opted to rest Yamal and Pedro, pulling them out of the field with 20 minutes left, and Williams and Morata at 78 minutes.
Despite Spain’s control, Italy’s tactic was on the verge of succeeding. A lone goal would turn tables in their favour. This dream sparked into reality at the 73rd minute, after Le Normand fouled Lorenzo Pellegrini, offering Italy’s number 10 an opportunity to upset the already worried Spanish spectators. Sadly, his free-kick ended up high and wide.
At the 85th minute, 21 players congregated in the Spanish half as Giacomo Raspadori took an Italian corner. With 18 players packed within the box, Bryan Cristante attempted a flick on the low-pass corner kick. However, it was effortlessly gathered by Unai Simón. Gradually, dominance shifted towards the defending champions, with Spain maintaining their composure.
The Spanish line-up included Simón; Carvajal, Le Normand, Laporte, Cucurella; Pedri, who was replaced by Baena in the 71st minute, Rodri, Ruiz; Yamal who made way for Torres also in the 71st minute, Morata replaced by Oyarzabal in the 75th minute, and Williams making way for Pérez in the 78th minute.
On the Italian side, we had Donnarumma in goal; Di Lorenzo, Bastoni, Calafiori, Dimarco forming the defence; Barella, Jorginho who was replaced by Cristante in the 46th minute; Chiesa making way for Zaccagni in the 64th minute, Pellegrini replaced by Raspadori in the 82nd minute, Frattesi swapped out for Cambiaso in the 46th minute and Scamacca replaced by Retegui in the 64th minute.
Slavko Vinčić from Slovenia officiated this match.