With a commanding performance against Italy, Spain guaranteed their spot in the Euro 2024 knockout stages.
Due to the energy of the Spaniard, Italy was unable to keep up with Luis De La Fuente’s team’s rapid start. Pedri and Nico Williams both missed incredibly tight headers to start the scoring. The latter of which ought to have ended up behind the net.
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Similar to the first half, the second half began with Pedri wasting another guilt-edge chance when he mishandled Marc Cucurella’s cross from close range. Fortunately for the reigning European champions, Riccardo Calafiori’s bundling of the ball into an empty net allowed Spain to take the lead. Not long after, Andrea Cambiaso, the substitute, cleared Calafiori’s header off the line, making it nearly two own goals.
Williams, an Arsenal target, had a chance to finish off an incredible evening, but his curling shot struck the crossbar. In the end, it didn’t really matter because Spain managed to hold onto a comfortable three-point lead.
Highlights of the match GK: Unai Simon – 6/10Not needed to preserve anything on paper. That night was just like that for the goalie.
RB: 6/10 for Dani CarvajalOn the other side of the field, the Real Madrid cult figure lacked the energy of his opponent. Still, he did provide young Yamal some solid support.
CB: 6/10 for Robin Le NormandLe Nоrmаnd hаd а quiet night аt the bаck, but he wаs а pаin frоm set pieces аnd exuded cоnfidence when he wаs needed.
6/10 for CB Aymeric LaporteSimilаr tо Rоbin Le Nоrmаnd, Lаpоrte hаd minimаl defensive оptiоns becаuse Itаly pоsed little оf а threаt.
LB: 7/10 for Marc CucurellaThe Chelsea full-back demonstrated once more why he was selected over Grimaldo of Bayer Leverkusen. In many aspects, a picture-perfect left-back display.
CM: 7.10 for Fabian RuizThis tоurnаment, PSG’s Fаbiаn Ruiz hаs been their best midfield plаyer аnd hаsn’t stоpped being а threаt frоm а distаnce. helped his nаtiоn rule the bаll.
CM: 7/10 for RodriA confident and composed performance, typical of Rodri. He will be suspended for the last group game though for talking to the referee after receiving a yellow card.
CM: Pedri: 5 out of 10.Maybe a harsh ranking, but Pedri could have paid a price for his errors. The midfielder did a good job moving the ball around, but on few times he should have performed better.
Nico Williams: 8 out of 10.
One of the competition’s current performances. Williams was instantly captivating and reminiscent of an old-school winger. Exceptionally good.
LW: 7/10 for Lamine YamalWilliams outperformed the youngest player to ever compete at the European Championships, but he was a constant menace on the other flank.
ALVRAO MORATOS: 6/10Morata did a great job leading his team and the line, but he made costly mistakes by taking too many touches in key situations. He could have had a couple tonight if it weren’t for that.
Alex Baena, Sub: 5/10wasn’t on for long enough to have an effect because Spain spent the last fifteen minutes defending more.
Ferran Torres, substitute: 5/10similar to Baena. Little effect further up the pitch and fresh legs.
Ayoze Perez, 6/10, as a subFor the fans of Newcastle and Leicester. Perez made the most of his brief appearance on the field by pushing Donnarumma into two deft saves and creating a stunning nutmeg.
Mikel Oyarzabal, substitute: 5/10Once he was on, the forward wasn’t really doing anything.