Spain secured their second win of the Euros as Riccardo Calafiori’s own goal was enough to give them the 1-0 victory over Italy.
The La Rojas were the better side as they gave the Italians no breathing with early attacks, particularly down the left side with Nico Williams Jr causing trouble with his dribbling and pace.
In the second minute of the game, Spain’s Williams Jr got the better of Italy's Giovanni Di Lorenzo to whip in a fierce cross for Pedri Gonzalez but his bullet header was tipped over the bar by Gianluigi Donnarumma, stopping Spain from taking an early lead.
The Italians struggled to contain the Spanish attacks as the defence was shaky at times, and it was not long before they would fall victim to another Spain attempt on goal.
In the 10th minute of the match, the Spaniards knocked on Italy’s door again as winger Lamine Yamal skipped past Federico Dimarco and found teammate Williams Jr but his header flashed wide of the post, letting Italy off the hook again.
Italy had very little to offer in attack as they spent some of the next 15 minutes trying to keep out Spain’s relentless attacks.
Spain’s Yamal, 16, showed why he was one of the players to talk about as he beat Dimarco and a couple more Italians with his close control dribbling and quick feet but could not get a shot away.
Spanish captain Alvaro Morata’s tame follow up shot was saved by Donnarumma in the Italy goal, Spain were getting close but just could not put away their chances.
As the match reached 25 minutes, La Rojas would have another attempt on goal, as Fabian Ruiz flashed a shot from almost 25 yards but Donnarumma in goal got a strong hand to it and tipped the ball over the bar.
Italy were suffering as they could not keep out Spain’s attacks and every time they hit on the counter the Italians' attempts would come to nothing.
Following a fast Italian counter attack led by Lorenzo Pellegrini, the Azzurri wasted their chance as Federico Chiesa’s shot went sailing over the bar.
It was a disappointing first half for Spain as they failed to turn their chances into goals and take control of the game. Italy offered very little in attack.
Spain were on the front foot in the early stages of the second half but just six minutes in, Pedri shot wide of the goal as he failed to put away Marc Cucurella’s cut back pass.
La Rojas were running out of patience against Italy as it seemed all they just could not find that magic moment to find a goal.
However, in the 55th minute the deadlock was finally broken and Spain were 1-0 up. Danger man Williams Jr, running havoc in the left wing, beat Italy’s Di Lorenzo with his pace and dribbling and his low driven shot was turned in by centre back Calafiori, the ball bounced off his knee.
Spain’s Morata tested Donnarumma in the Italian goal as his powerful strike from outside the box could only reach his hands.
Teenage forward Yamal tried his luck from outside the box, cutting in from the right side but his shot went wide past the post, leaving the Azzurri worried.
In the 70th minute, Spain’s Williams Jr went for goal but his wicked shot smashed off the crossbar leaving everyone stunned as La Rojas looked for a second goal.
Italy’s Pellegrini had a free-kick in the latter stages of the match but his attempt just went over the crossbar, causing no trouble to Spain’s Unai Simon in goal.
Spain’s last chance for a second goal came after 90 minutes as winger Ayoze Perez had his one-on-one chance saved against Donnarumma.
La Rojas held on for the 1-0 win over Italy, despite failing to put away so many chances on goal.
The three-time European championship winners did enough to take maximum points in matchday two, sitting top of Group B with six points. Spain had knockout football secured.
As for Italy it was a disappointing performance from Luciano Spalletti’s men. The loss for the defending champions has certainly opened the door for Albania and Croatia to take advantage in the hunt for qualification.
Spain’s final group game is against Albania with knockout football secured while Italy face a tough test with Croatia, as all eyes will be on who joins La Rojas in the Round of 16.
