Spain advances to knockout round at Euro 2024 with statement win over defending champion Italy
Spain's Alvaro Morata celebrates with teammates after Italy's Riccardo Calafiori, right, lies face down on the pitch after scoring an own goal during a Group B match between Spain and Italy at the Euro 2024 soccer tournament in Gelsenkirchen, Germany, Thursday, June 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Andreea Alexandru)
GELSENKIRCHEN, Germany (AP) — Europe beware — Spain might just be back.
The three-time European champion advanced to the round of 16 at Euro 2024 after a 1-0 win against holder Italy on Thursday.
A 55th-minute own goal by Riccardo Calafiori settled the Group B game at the Veltins Arena in Gelsenkirchen. But that didn’t begin to tell the story of a statement performance from Spain, which surely marks it as one of the favorites to win a record-extending fourth European Championship.
Italy's Riccardo Calafiori, front, scores an own goal during a Group B match between Spain and Italy at the Euro 2024 soccer tournament in Gelsenkirchen, Germany, Thursday, June 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
“I think it was the best Spain performance I have taken charge of,” coach Luis de la Fuente said. “I don’t see a ceiling on this team. The sky is the limit.”
Spain totally dominated defending champion Italy, with 16-year-old winger Lamine Yamal further enhancing his reputation as one of soccer’s most exciting young stars.
Spain's Lamine Yamal, center left, celebrates as Italy's Riccardo Calafiori lies on the pitch after he scored an own goal during a Group B match between Spain and Italy at the Euro 2024 soccer tournament in Gelsenkirchen, Germany, Thursday, June 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
Player of the match Nico Williams also tormented Italy’s defenders and was the width of the crossbar away from scoring in the second half.
It took Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma to keep the score down with a string of fine saves until inadvertently pushing the ball into the legs of Calafiori, who couldn’t prevent it from ricocheting into his own goal.
“They deserved to win and we were never in the game,” Italy coach Luciano Spalletti said. "There was too much of a gulf. We were constantly stretched, we were never able to squeeze the gaps between the various units and they were able to cause us problems. They caused us more problems than the scoreline suggests, let’s not beat around the bush.”
Spain produced a throwback performance that brought to mind the years when it ruled international soccer when winning back-to-back Euros and the World Cup from 2008 through 2012.
Italy's Mattia Zaccagni reacts after a play during a Group B match between Spain and Italy at the Euro 2024 soccer tournament in Gelsenkirchen, Germany, Thursday, June 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
Having failed to dominate possession for the first time in 136 competitive games in its opening 3-0 win over Croatia, Spain was back to its old ways in starving Italy of the ball and dictating play in a largely lopsided game.
Italy coach Luciano Spalletti yells from the bench during a Group B match between Spain and Italy at the Euro 2024 soccer tournament in Gelsenkirchen, Germany, Thursday, June 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
Chances came thick and fast in the first half, with Donnarumma pulling off a string of saves to keep the score goalless.
For all of Spain’s superiority, it took Calafiori’s own goal to break the deadlock after halftime.
Italy's head coach Luciano Spalletti shakes hands with Italy's Giacomo Raspadori after a Group B match between Spain and Italy at the Euro 2024 soccer tournament in Gelsenkirchen, Germany, Thursday, June 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Andreea Alexandru)
Donnarumma pushed Alvaro Morata’s glancing header into the legs of Calafiori, who could only watch as the ball ricocheted into the back of the net.
Spain's Marc Cucurella falls after a contact with Italy's Federico Chiesa during a Group B match between Spain and Italy at the Euro 2024 soccer tournament in Gelsenkirchen, Germany, Thursday, June 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Andreea Alexandru)
Williams was then millimeters away from extending the lead with a curling shot that hit crossbar.
“We dominated across the board,” Williams said. “Italy are an excellent side but we played very well and deserved to win.”
Williams is just one of the bright young stars in De la Fuente's team. Yamal is another and the Barcelona teenager, who has a $1 billion buyout clause, showcased his talents with slaloming runs and tricks.
Felipe VI, King of Spain, watches from the stands before during a Group B match between Spain and Italy at the Euro 2024 soccer tournament in Gelsenkirchen, Germany, Thursday, June 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
Barcelona midfielder Pedri looks like the modern-day answer to Spain great Andres Iniesta.
“I want to underline the quality of this generation of players, particularly those in this squad. Spanish players are the best in the world,” De la Fuente said.
Spain has endured frustrating times since it last won the Euros in 2012, with early exits from the last three World Cups.
At the last Euros, it lost on penalties to Italy in the semifinals.
But there have been signs of its resurgence in recent times, having won the UEFA Nations League last year.
Now it looks well-positioned to add another major title in Germany.
“Essentially we haven’t achieved anything yet,” De la Fuente said. “Football can be very cruel. We have to be cautious, humble and show resect.”
England drew 1-1 with Denmark in Group C after Harry Kane scored and then made a mistake that led to the Danes’ leveler. Kane struck a record-extending 64th goal for his country to fire England ahead in Frankfurt. But his loose pass then allowed Morten Hjulmand to equalize from long range.
In the other Group C game, Luka Jovic scored in stoppage time to salvage a 1-1 for Serbia against Slovenia.
England leads the group on four points and is likely to advance to the round of 16.
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James Robson is at https://twitter.com/jamesalanrobson
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AP Euro 2024: https://apnews.com/hub/euro-2024
James Robson, The Associated Press