(sabasports report)Spain have advanced to the last 16 of Euro 2024 with a 1-0 win over defending champions Italy in a focal match in Group B. After beating Croatia 3-0 in the opening game, Spain showed its strength again. The score could have been even bigger had it not been for a number of brilliant saves by Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma.
Spain regained possession of the ball in this game. In their last game against Croatia, Spain failed to dominate possession for the first time in 136 official matches, but this time they dominated the game by pressing Italy through possession. Italy had only one shot on target in the whole game.
Despite their dominance, Spain did not break the deadlock until the second half with an own goal from Italian defender Riccardo Calafiori. Donnarumma’s save from Alvaro Morata’s header bounced off Carafiori’s leg, who could only watch the ball go into the net. The own goal became the only goal of the game.