Spain Control the Entire Match in Their 1-0 Victory Against Italy

This is the 11th time that these squads have met in the Euros and World Cup, the most all time. Both Spain and Italy gathered three points in Match Day One against Croatia and Albania. Spain pummeled Croatia 3-0 and Italy kept it dangerously close with Albania but still pulled out a 2-1 victory. This Match Day Two result had mass implications on Group B standings. Spain lost to Italy in the Semifinals in the last Euro tournament but gained their revenge. From beginning to end, Spain controlled this game and deservedly gained the three points.

With both teams having players with yellow cards early on, it was not in their best interest to play super aggressively. If players receive two yellow cards before the Round of 16, they are suspended for one game. Spain had the first chance of the game, once again, with a Pedri header on target with a beautiful ball into the box from Nico Williams. Gianluigi Donnarumma made an incredible save by tiping the ball over the crossbar. Spain was all over the attack for the first 10 minutes of the game, not allowing Italy to build possession. During that time, Lorenzo Pelligrini picked up an injury and stopped play to get treatment. Things were getting chippy and the referee was handing out warnings early. 

In the 10th minute, Nico Williams might not be able to forgive himself after missing a sitter in front of the goal. It should have been 1-0 Spain but he simply tried to guide the header into the net instead of making proper contact. Italy went on the attack, just minutes after, and Gianluca Scamacca had an opportunity in front of the net but couldn’t convert. In the 15th minute, Donnarumma was given a yellow card for talking with the referee. It was a bit odd because he is the Captain of Italy, therefore he’s allowed to argue so he must have said something off-putting. Again, Spain had their third great chance of the half to score. This time it was Alvaro Morata given the opportunity but couldn’t get the ball off of his foot. In transition, Donnarumma was put to the task once more as Fabian Ruiz sent a laser to the goal from 30 yards out. Again, Donnarumma made a spectacular save to keep the game tied at 0-0. 

Just before halftime, in the 40th minute, Fabian Ruiz had another long-distance effort but was saved by Donnarumma. This entire first half for Italy was all about bending but not breaking. Italy did have the final scoring opportunity of the half as they went on a counterattack in the 45th minute. Federico Chiesa blew the opportunity away when he could have found a teammate but decided to give it a whirl and came nowhere close. The referee of the match was not giving out yellow cards as often as he should. The irony of it all was giving Rodri his second yellow card of the tournament. This means that he is forced to miss their next match against Albania. The two yellow cards in the first half were for arguing with the referee, not one of the 18 fouls committed. After playing 45 minutes and extra time, Spain and Italy were still in a draw at 0-0.

Immediately to start the second half, the substitute, Bryan Cristante was booked with a yellow card. He hadn’t even touched the ball before he was given the card. In the 50th minute, Pedri was caught off guard by the cross coming from Marc Cucurella and missed his shot wide left. He then was given another opportunity, this time from outside the box but shot it right at Donnarumma. Spain finally broke through in the 55th minute as Nico Williams delivered a ball into the box and Donnarumma got a fingertip to it but Riccardo Calafiori didn’t adjust to it. The ball deflected off his leg and into the net, giving the lead to Spain. Even after scoring, Spain didn’t stop their furious attack. Alvaro Morata found space in the middle of the field and let it rip but Donnaruma was there to tip it over the net. On the ensuing corner, Spain got a head on the ball and it was going into the back of the net before it was cleared off the line. It was nearly 2-0 Spain in a matter of minutes. 

Italy about tied up the match as their counterattack was looking great until the ball came into the box but nobody was home. Even with not scoring, this allowed them to control possession for a little while and rest from defending. Robin Le Normand was assessed a yellow card for purposely stopping the Italian attack. Things were starting to pick up for the Italian side after struggling to gain possession for the entirety of the match. Then, of course, Nico Williams led a counterattack and almost found gold with a bending shot from the outside of the box. It nearly found the top right corner but bounced off the crossbar instead. Lorenzo Pellegrini won the free kick for Italy in the 73rd minute, just outside of the 18-yard box. His form on the free kick was poor which resulted in the ball sailing over the top of the goal.  

In the 80th minute, Spain had another scoring chance but again were thwarted away by the stingy Italian defense. The crowd was roaring with Italian chants which gave them an added energy boost. With a corner taken in the 85th minute, the referee made sure to give out proper warnings as it was getting dicey, once again. Nothing came from the corner kick as Unai Simon collected the ball with relative ease. Spain almost had the dagger in the final moments of the game but Donnaruma made two more incredible saves as Ayoze Perez had two chances to beat him but failed to do so. Donnarumma deserved Player of the Match regardless of Italy losing. Spain was living a bit dangerously in extra time as the last play of the match was an Italy corner. This was everything for Italy but didn’t end in a scoring result. In the end, Spain results in a 1-0 win and has automatically advanced out of the Group.