Luis de la Fuente described the Spain vs. Italy match as a clásico, suggesting it could have been a final; he might have been half right. Spain defeated Italy with an own goal from Riccardo Calafiori to win the Group of Death with a match to spare. However, the scoreline doesn't reflect the dominance Spain displayed. Despite the narrow 1-0 win, Spain's performance was overwhelming, with 20 shots and 50 attacks, dismantling Italy from start to finish.
Spain's qualification to the next round seems assured, and if they continue playing this way, reaching the final is plausible. Their only concern might be that such a dominant performance did not result in a more comfortable victory. The match featured relentless pressure and numerous scoring opportunities, especially from wingers Nico Williams and Lamine Yamal, who tormented Italy's defenders throughout.
From the start, Spain attacked relentlessly. Within the first 85 seconds, Williams outpaced Giovanni Di Lorenzo and delivered a cross that Pedri headed towards goal, only for Gianluigi Donnarumma to save. Williams and Yamal continued to wreak havoc on the flanks, repeatedly outmaneuvering Italy's defense.
Marc Cucurella and Rodri were outstanding, controlling the game and contributing to Spain's high pressing and deep attacking plays. Álvaro Morata, Pedri, and Fabián Ruiz also played crucial roles. Despite Spain's dominance, they missed several chances, with Williams, Yamal, and Morata all coming close to scoring.
Italy's rare chances included a decent opportunity for Federico Chiesa just before half-time. However, Spain's relentless attacks eventually forced an own goal from Calafiori, following another brilliant run by Williams.
In summary, Spain's comprehensive performance against Italy resulted in a narrow 1-0 victory, securing their place in the next round and showcasing their potential to reach the final.
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