Spain vs. Italy: La Roja March On at EURO 2024

 

Match Summary

Spain secured a 1-0 win over Italy in their Euro 2024 Group B match, with Riccardo Calafiori scoring an own goal in the 55th minute. The victory sent Spain to the knockout stages of the tournament, where they will face a formidable opponent in the next round.

Tactical Analysis

Spain dominated the match from the start, with their young wingers Nico Williams and Lamine Yamal causing significant problems for the Italian defense. Williams, in particular, was a thorn in the side of the Italian right-back Giovanni Di Lorenzo, consistently beating him with his pace and skill.

Italy's goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma was the only reason the score remained 0-0 at halftime, making several spectacular saves to deny Spain's attacking threats. Spain's inability to convert their chances into goals was a concern, but they continued to press and eventually got their reward through Calafiori's own goal.

Key Performances

Nico Williams was the standout player for Spain, terrorizing the Italian defense with his speed and skill. His low cross led to Calafiori's own goal, and he continued to cause problems for the Italian defense throughout the match.

Lamine Yamal, the youngest player in Euros history, also impressed with his direct play and ability to beat defenders one-on-one. His shot inches wide of the top left corner was a highlight of the match.

Conclusion

Spain's dominant performance against Italy showcased their potential to go all the way in Euro 2024. With their young and dynamic attack, they will be a force to be reckoned with in the knockout stages. Italy, on the other hand, will need to regroup and improve their defense to have any chance of advancing further in the tournament.

The Bad Tackle

There were exciting moments in the first half, but a great part of this match at EURO 2024 was boring. This is, after all a match featuring Italy. The last time Azzurri was exciting, was at the 1982 World Cup in Spain.

La Roja already waltzed their way through the next stage. And Italy will follow them soon. No surprises in this group.