Spain 1-0 Italy - Euro 2024 RECAP: Spain sink the Italians (2024)

*Pretends to be shocked*

There really are no surprises with this one, Nico Williams has been named Player of the Match.

Italy are going to be having nightmares after what he just did to them - ran them ragged all night.

It's fair to say, many Premier League sides are going to be having a look at this lad. A future star.

Maybe even a current one going by that display.

Matt Barlow, Mail Sport, in Gelsenkirchen:

You have to feel for Riccardo Calafiori.

Although Italy didn't deserve anything from that game, it is a horrible way to lose.

There was nothing the centre-back could do about the own goal either, he was in the wrong place at the wrong time.

He is only the second Italian player to score at the wrong end in an international tournament.

That's rough...

What a player Lamine Yamal is.

When I was 16, I was playing Geometry Dash on my iPad when I was meant to be studying for my GCSEs.

Meanwhile, Yamal is rinsing players left, right, and centre in his debut European Championship.

I know what I'd rather be doing at that age...

In all seriousness, he was a delight to watch today. The confidence he possesses at such a young age is staggering.

Spain were sensational, weren't they?

I was laughed at by a colleague when I told them I believed Spain could win the whole thing. They won't laugh now.

On paper, they may not have the star quality of other sides, but boy, oh boy can they play football.

They were just elegant this evening. The fact they only scored on goal and it was an own goal is just a travesty.

They could have scored five or six.

Last chance saloon for Italy, Gianluigi Donnarumma is up for a corner... can they salvage a point late on?

No, they cannot, after a couple bites of the cherry, Spain hold on.

They may have just won by a single goal, but the Spanish were dominant in Gelsenkirchen tonight.

Luis de la Fuente's side rarely gave Italy a sniff all night. With Lamine Yamal on one side, and Nico Williams on the other, they ripped them apart.

However, it was an own goal from the unfortunate Riccardo Calafiori that separates the sides in the end.

Spain are well, and truly, a force to be reckoned with in this tournament.

Ayoze Perez is really enjoying himself.

He is absolutely rinsing Giovanni Di Lorenzo on the left, it's just way too easy for him.

He races away from him again and looks set to add a late second, but Gianluigi Donnarumma foils him again.

Perez really is putting on one hell of a display here.

Ayoze Perez rolls back the years!

He pulls out the tricks to drive into the area on the left, nutmegs Giovanni Di Lorenzo before firing straight at Gianluigi Donnarumma.

He should score, really. It's a big chance.

Italy have just four minutes to find a late leveller.

They don't exactly look like getting it, but you just never know at Euro 2024.

It has had some mad moments...

Oooh, that would have been a lovely goal.

Italy earn themselves a corner and it's bent into the front post. An Italy man gets a flailing leg to it but it's comfortable for Unai Simon.

Lovely effort, though.

Riccardo Calafiori has got away with one there.

The Italian defender looks like he wants to make up for his mistake and marauds into the Spain half with the ball.

Alex Baena then steals the ball from him, but for some reason, the whistle is blown for a foul.

I don't see how that isn't just a good tackle, Spain would have been well on their way too.

It's substitutions galore in Gelsenkirchen.

Now it's Italy who have decided to call upon the bench again with Napoli attacker Giacomo Raspadori joining proceedings.

He replaces Lorenzo Pellegrini.

Ayoze Perez is already getting involved.

He is played in by Ferran Torres and just has to get past Giovanni Di Lorenzo. He struggles to do so.

Will Spain regret wasting these opportunities?

Not many would have predicted this at the start of 2024...

Former Newcastle and Leicester forward Ayoze Perez is entering the fray, and guess who he is replacing?

The one and only Nico Williams, what a performance the winger has put in.

Mikel Oyarzabal is also called upon and he comes on for captain Alvaro Morata.

Very interesting substitutes...

The amount of mistakes Italy have made at the back tonight is simply ridiculous.

They give the ball away yet again around their own penalty area, but luckily for them, it doesn't break favourably for Nico Williams.

How Spain haven't taken advantage of them is also crazy...

It's time for some Spanish alterations.

Lamine Yamal has been superb this evening, but his night has come to an end.

He is applauded by his fans and replaced by his club compatriot Ferran Torres.

Barcelona's Pedri is also replaced. Alex Baena is the man that comes on for him.

Wow, what a hit that is!

Nico Williams has been in magical form all night and he has nearly just scored a stunner.

The Athletic Bilbao winger cuts in from the left and curls a ferocious effort toward the top right corner.

It crashes off the bar and brings an 'ooooo' from the crowd. What a goal that would have been.

Don't get many straightforward decisions like that these days.

Robin Le Normand is solid a ticket by Italy substitute Mattia Zaccagni, and in turn, he takes him out.

Funnily enough, he gets a booking for it.

Welcome to the match, Italy.

The current holders have finally decided to make inroads into the Spanish defence.

Substitute Mateo Retegui nearly gets on the end of a lovely ball on the right, but he can't get a toe to it.

Maybe, just maybe, we now have a game.

Unsurprisingly, Luciano Spalletti is making some changes.

Federico Chiesa has really struggled to make an impact today and he is being hooked.

Coming on in his place is Mattia Zaccagni, while Mateo Retegui replaces Gianluca Scamacca.

Can they make a difference?

What a talent Yamine Yamal is.

He plays a lovely one-two with Fabian Ruiz and then wraps his foot around the ball in search of the top corner.

It flies just narrowly wide of the post, and his response is to try and rile up the crowd.

What a player, I can't believe he is only 16.

Spain are not taking their foot off the pedal.

Yet again the build-up play from Spain is a joy to watch, they work it to Alvaro Morata, and he has a pop from distance.

It's a decent effort, but Gianluigi Donnarumma is equal to it and palms it over for a corner.

The set-piece causes trouble but it's cleared.

SPAIN FINALLY BREAK THE DEADLOCK!

After all of the chances Spain have missed, it's an Italian that has fired them in front.

The ball is fired across the box by Nico Williams, it then takes a touch off Alvaro Morata's head, and then Gianluigi Donnarumma's fingers.

The next person in line? Riccardo Calafiori. The centre-back can't get out of the way and the ball bounces off his knee and in.

It's what Spain deserve, but now how we thought it would come.

Yet another chance goes begging for Spain!

I am in disbelief at the amount of opportunities that the Spanish are throwing in the bin.

Marc Cucurella does really well on the left-hand side and pulls the ball back for Pedri.

You just expect him to score, but first time he fires wayward. He has to do so much better.

His head is in his hands...

It's been more of the same so far from Spain.

Lamine Yamal causing more problems on the right and he looks for just a split second like he may be through.

But the ball just runs away from him after a bad touch in the area. It's just that final moment that is letting him down.

Surely, a goal is going to come...

Rodri is back on his feet, but not after hobbling around for some time.

It looks like he has been given a dead leg, so surely, that will go away after a few minutes.

It looked like a very big hit from Bryan Cristante, though. Painful.

Well, he has changed it...

Luciano Spalletti has made two changes at the break with Bryan Cristante and Andrea Cristante entering the fray.

And wow, Cristante has picked up a yellow card after 21 seconds for a challenge on Rodri.

That's one way of making an impact.

Well then, what should Luciano Spalletti do?

You can just tell from this photo that there is a lot going through his head, and so there should be.

His tactics have been ripped apart by Spain and their wingers, so far, it's just not working.

He will surely make some changes.

Matt Barlow, Mail Sport, in Gelsenkirchen:

Thanks, Liam!

Well, my first question is, how is this still 0-0? My second question is, how is it not Spain in the lead?

the Spanish have been at their flowing best, so far, with Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams causing all sorts of problems.

Italy will feel lucky to still be in this match...

That's it from a breathless first half in Gelsenkirchen.

How Spain aren't ahead I don't know. They've been utterly dominant here and are unfortunate not to be two or three in front.

Italy have not had chance to grab a foothold in the match but they're still in it, thanks largely to their goalkeeper.

A fascinating second half awaits, and HARRY BAMFORTH is here to take you through it.

Another chance for Spain, albeit not an easy one.

Ruiz finds himself with time to shoot but hits a well-struck effort straight down the throat of Donnarumma.

This half has belonged to Spain but they have nothing to show for it so far.

Much of Spain's play has been a joy to watch so far. But that was not.

Williams has a free-kick in a dangerous area and tries to cut it back to Ruiz but the ball is behind him, forcing the midfielder to hit it on the rise and it sails handsomely over Donnarumma's crossbar.

Donnarumma has been a busy boy so far. This fingertip save prevented Ruiz from adding another to the long list of goal of the tournament contenders from these Euros.

Two massive chances go begging for the Spanish. It surely seems a matter of time before they break the deadlock.

Ally McCoist says it's a 'work of art'. 'Playstation football,' quips Clive Tyldesley.

Spain have just conjured up a magical move there. Ruiz's reverse pass is perfect for Dani Carvajal, who pulls it back to a waiting Rodri on the edge of the box.

The Man City star's effort looked goalbound but it was blocked before it got there. Italy really hanging on here.

If it's not Williams, it's Yamal.

The 16-year-old glides past his man and feeds Morata, who squeezes a shot at goal from a tight angle but Donnarumma comfortably saves his effort.

The Italian 'keeper is called into action again shorly after as he tips Fabian Ruiz's long-range effort over the bar.

Nico Williams looks a threat every time he gets on the ball and is surely giving full-back Giovanni Di Lorenzo nightmares already.

Williams again gets the better of Di Lorenzo but no-one can pick up his pass and the move fizzles out.

A matter of time?

Spain are still looking threatening here as they flood forward in search of the opening goal.

The referee is not happy with something and books Italian goalkeeper Donnarumma for dissent after he questioned a decision a tad too vociferously.

Spain go straight up the other end and miss yet another glorious opportunity, this time it's Williams.

Morata whips a superb ball in and Williams cannot divert his effort on target. Big chances already wasted for Spain.

First bright spark from Italy. Gianluca Scamacca, once of West Ham, is played through by a neat flick on but his back-heel is wayward and the chance goes begging.

MATT BARLOW IN GELSENKIRCHEN: When this tie came out in the draw it was arguably the tie of the opening phase. Italy looking to defend their title and Spain looking to become the first to win it for the first time.

Although first game victories for both sides followed by a draw between the teams they beat, Croatia and Albania have served to take a lot of the jeopardy out of it. A draw is a good result for both teams and the pre-match mood is very chilled here in Gelsenkirchen but they will both set out looking to win. Spalletti’s Italy are unchanged. Laporte in for Nacho is the only change for Spain, reforming the France-born central defensive partnership with Le Normand.

First huge chance of the game goes to Spain in just the second minute. Italy haven't woken up yet...

Williams gets to the byline and produces a peach of a cross right onto the head of Pedri, who can only head straight at Gianluigi Donnarumma.

He really should have done better there. What a start that would have been for Spain.

Italy were already a goal down to Albania by now but they've survived the first 22 seconds this time...

Spain kicking from left to right on the TV coverage.

They're up and running over in Gelsenkirchen. Laporte, who is in for Nacho, has also been suffering with a muscle problem so it will be interesting to see how he gets on here.

Spain and Italy emerge into the Veltins Arena ahead of what is a huge Euros group stage clash.

Most would say it is the biggest of the tournament so far. Let's hope it delivers...

Mario and Luigi are there! Of course they are...

Some - erm - interesting choices of attire in the stands in Gelsenkirchen.

Gary Neville and Ian Wright appear to have a differing opinion - to say the least - about whether Spain could go all the way in Germany.

Neville says this tournament is 'one too soon' for the young Spanish side, but Wright backs them to lift the trophy in Berlin on July 14.

'That's the third team you've said will win it in the last 24 hours!' Neville jokes.

Chelsea have posted on their social media platforms ahead of kick-off as they wish good luck to Marc Cucurella, their left-back who starts again for Spain tonight.

Ian Wright says the presence of Yamal and Williams on the flanks means Spain can play two types of football - the usual possession-based style we associate with them and more direct balls in behind.

'It must be brilliant for the likes of Morata,' Wright says on ITV's coverage.

Roy Keane describes Morata as a 'top-quality' striker, even if he 'needs a few chances to score'.

Will he find the net tonight?

Not long to go now. England fans up and down the country will no doubt be tuning in after a pint or two hoping to see an entertaining game for a change...

Italy manager Luciano Spalletti has sent a pre-match warning to his side. 'When you play a Euro, all games are finals, all games are unique, all games are something to remember,' he said.

“We want to play the same kind of football we played against Albania and measure ourselves against one of the strongest teams in Europe. I’m sure that if we leave the ball to them, it will end badly for us.'

Both managers have been speaking to the media ahead of the match.

Spain boss Luis de la Fuente said this is a 'classic game' that could 'easily be the final'.

'We are prepared to get muddy, to dig deep in a quarry and for a day in the office. Ready for everything. We know what kind of football they play and how competitive they are, so we won’t be surprised. I expect a strong, aggressive Italy who will try to control possession.'

There's been more than a bit of needle between supporters during this tournament - but there was none of that as Spain and Italy fans enjoyed a pre-match kickabout in Gelsenkirchen.

Watch the footage below:

Fans are filling up the stands at the Veltins Arena ahead of kick-off.

Both sides will be hoping for three points which will guarantee their place in the last 16.

Which way do you think it will go? Let us know on our socials or in the comments below.

Reports in Spain are claiming Nacho has a slight knock, hence Laporte has come into the team for tonight's match.

An hour until kick-off in Gelsenkirchen and Italy's team has been announced - and they're unchanged from the win over Albania.

Spain and Italy's players have been out on the pitch with just under an hour to kick-off.

Let's hope it's better than the surface for England's draw with Denmark...

Italy manager Luciano Spalletti wants his side to show their mean streak when they take on Spain tonight.

They conceded the fastest-ever goal at a Euros in the win over Albania and Spalletti was not happy.

Read more below:

No team news from Italy yet but they were spotted leaving for the stadium about an hour ago.

Lamine Yamal is just 16 but was one of the stars of the show when Spain cruised to victory over Croatia in their first match of the tournament.

Here, MATT BARLOW takes you through all you need to know about the Barcelona wonderkid.

Spain's XI for this mouthwatering fixture has been released.

Spain XI:Simon; Carvajal, Le Normand, Laporte, Cucurella; Pedri, Rodri, Ruiz; Yamal, Morata, Williams.

It's one change for the Spaniards as Aymeric Laporte comes in for Nacho.

Both teams claimed victory in their first games in Germany - Spain outclassed Croatia 3-0 and Italy squeezed past Albania - and they will be hoping to secure a spot in the last 16 with another three points tonight.

The two sides know that a win will see them progress to the knockout phase as group winners, which should give them an easier path to the quarter-finals.

Remember this? Albania fans jokingly taunted their Italian counterparts by snapping pasta prior to their game on Saturday night, which the defending champions narrowly won 2-1.

Kick-off is 90 minutes away but fans are already gathering inside the Veltins Arena, the venue for England's opener against Serbia.

Hello and welcome to our coverage of a huge Euro 2024 clash between Spain and Italy in Gelsenkirchen.

This Group B contest pits the reigning champions against the three-time winners and is unquestionably one of the standout fixtures in the opening phase of the tournament.

Stick with us for what is sure to be a cracker.