Riccardo Calafiori’s own goal handed Spain a 1-0 victory over defending champions Italy as they booked their place in the last 16 at Euro 2024.
The defender’s misfortune 10 minutes after the break ultimately settled the Group B contest in Gelsenkirchen, although had it not been for the heroics of keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, who made a string of fine saves, and the crossbar, which denied the impressive Nico Williams a deserved goal, the Spaniards would have prevailed in some comfort.
Spain would have been ahead within two minutes had Donnarumma not managed to tip Pedri’s header from Williams’ pinpoint cross over his bar, and the traffic was very much one-way in the early stages.
Williams himself passed up a glorious 10th-minute opportunity to open the scoring when he contrived to head wide from Alvaro Morata’s equally inviting cross with the goal at his mercy.
Donnarumma was called upon again twice within seconds, first blocking Morata’s shot from a tight angle after good work by 16-year-old Lamine Yamal before turning Fabian Ruiz’s searing drive over.
Williams was causing all kinds of problems for Giovanni Di Lorenzo down the Italian right, while Yamal was equally prominent on the other flank, but it was Ruiz who tested Donnarumma four minutes before the break with another sweetly-struck attempt from distance.
Italy boss Luciano Spalletti opted for change at the break, sending on Bryan Cristante and Andrea Cambiaso for Jorginho and Davide Frattesi in a bid to gain a foothold, but Cristante was left walking a tightrope within seconds when he was booked for an ugly challenge on Rodri.
🇪🇸 Spain through to the round of 16 as group winners 👏#EURO2024 | #ESPITA pic.twitter.com/BDj2p5N1nu
— UEFA EURO 2024 (@EURO2024) June 20, 2024
Pedri should have put the 2008 and 2012 winners ahead within seven minutes of the restart when he ran on to Marc Cucurella’s pull-back, but stabbed wastefully wide, and although he did hit the target from 20 yards seconds later, Donnarumma was equal to the task.
The Italy keeper was finally beaten with 55 minutes gone when Morata flicked on Williams’ cross and Donnarumma palmed it on to the helpless Calafiori, who could only bundle it into his own net.
Morata saw a long-range attempt palmed over and Yamal curled another just wide as Spain went for the kill, prompting a response from the Italians which saw Cambiaso fire a dangerous ball across Unai Simon’s six-yard box with substitute Mateo Retegui lurking.
However, Williams rattled the crossbar with a swerving attempt which left Donnarumma helpless, although he had to be at his best to save from substitute Ayoze Perez twice at the death.
[(Vasco da Gama) Strength]: 1. Vasco da Gama are motivated to keep unbeaten in this home game.[(Vasco da Gama) Neutral]: 1. Vasco da Gama received 2 wins, 1 draw and 2 losses in the last 5 encounters with close performances.[(Vasco da Gama) Weakness]: 1. Vasco da Gama lost to Sport Club Corinthians Paulista 2-3 in the last home game, suffering back-to-back defeats, which gives a blow to their mora...
[(Atletico Paranaense) Strength]: 1. Viveros scored the only goal of the game in the last match and performed well. He may get another chance to play in the Copa do Brasil in midweek.2. Atletico Paranaense ended their winless streak in the league with a 1-0 victory over Clube de Regatas Brasil in their latest match.3. Atletico Paranaense eventually eliminated Sao Paulo FC in the last round of the ...
[(Los Angeles Galaxy) Strength]: 1. As the tournament has reached the Semifinals, both teams are highly motivated and determined to advance to the final.2. Los Angeles Galaxy's Harbor Miller scored in the last game with excellent form.3. In-form Los Angeles Galaxy hammered Colorado Rapids 3-0 in the last game, making it two wins in a row among all events.4. Los Angeles Galaxy performed well in the...
[(Atletico Mineiro (MG)) Strength]: 1. Atletico Mineiro (MG) have almost no chance of winning the league title this season. The team are determined to win in the Copa do Brasil and hope to use their home field advantage to secure a victory in the first leg and lay a solid foundation for advancement.2. Atletico Mineiro (MG) have performed steadily at home in the league this season, achieving 4 wins...
[(SL Benfica) Strength]: 1. Despite being reduced to ten men for the majority of the match, SL Benfica secured a resilient goalless draw away from home in the first leg, which greatly boosted the team's confidence. They hope to use home field advantage to defeat Fenerbahce S.K. and advance to the UEFA Champions League group stage.2. SL Benfica have been in excellent form recently. In the new seaso...
[(F.C. Copenhagen) Strength]: 1. F.C. Copenhagen played a draw away to FC Basel in the first leg, and they will advance to the main tournament of the UEFA Champions League if they win this game. Thus, the team will go all out to attack at home.2. F.C. Copenhagen's major center-back Gabriel Pereira scored an equalizer for the team in the last league game. He scored in two successive games, with a r...
[(Inter Miami CF) Strength]: 1. Inter Miami CF have advanced to the semi-finals of the Leagues Cup this season after a series of impressive victories. Having won the inaugural edition of the tournament, the team are now poised to make another strong push for the title, fully motivated.2. Inter Miami CF's key striker Luis Suarez has been in excellent form in the Leagues Cup, showcasing strong offen...
[(RC Celta de Vigo) Strength]: 1. RC Celta de Vigo defender Javier Rueda, who returned to the team on loan from Albacete Balompie this season, opened the scoring in the last game. Although the team ultimately failed to secure a win, his contributions in both attack and defense were commendable. He is expected to retain his starting position for this game.2. RC Celta de Vigo have conceded 4 goals i...
[(Club Brugge) Strength]: 1. In the first leg, Club Brugge played away but took the initiative, defeating Rangers F.C. to gain the upper hand for advancement. Now, returning to their home ground, they will naturally go all out for a victory, aiming to secure a dominant advance by defeating their opponents twice.2. Club Brugge's attacking prowess has been demonstrated through multiple goal-scoring ...
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. Arsenal, Liverpool then & Now Al $enal EPL Week 2 !! This is so accurate Los Blancos have truly secured themselves not one, but TWO future Legends! emmm 002 Please stay tuned on Daily Laugh. There will be more fun tomorrow!(Credit: originaltrollfootball, AZRorganization, zhibo8, Justtoonit)...
- 1 Ruben Amorim gives cryptic response when asked about Andre Onana returning to starting XI for Fulham clash after Altay Bayindir blunder handed Arsenal victory
- 2 'Victory Bodes Well for Future' – Gasperini Delighted with Roma’s Opening Day Win
- 3 TIPS - Eintracht Frankfurt VS Werder Bremen
- 4 Transfer rumors, news: Arsenal could turn to Lyon's Fofana
- 5 Antony’s Man United Exit Hopes Rest on Fresh Real Betis Bid Within 'Next 24 Hours'
- 6 TIPS - Cerezo Osaka VS Vissel Kobe
- 7 TIPS - Gamba Osaka VS Yokohama FC
- 8 TIPS - Schalke 04 VS VfL Bochum
- 9 TIPS - Sunderland A.F.C. VS Huddersfield Town A.F.C.
- 10 TIPS - Olympique de Marseille VS Paris FC