European soccer followers ought to take discover, as Spain seems to be resurgent.
The three-time European champion secured a spot within the spherical of 16 at Euro 2024 with a 1-0 victory over reigning champion Italy on Thursday.
Riccardo Calafiori’s Fifty fifth-minute personal objective sealed the win within the Group B match on the Veltins Arena in Gelsenkirchen. However, the scoreline fails to seize Spain’s dominant efficiency, solidifying its place as a prime contender for a file fourth European Championship title.
“I think it was the best Spain performance I have taken charge of,” coach Luis de la Fuente mentioned. “I don’t see a ceiling on this team. The sky is the limit.”
Spain completely dominated defending champion Italy, with 16-year-old winger Lamine Yamal additional enhancing his fame as one in every of soccer’s most fun younger stars.
Player of the match Nico Williams additionally tormented Italy’s defenders and was the width of the crossbar away from scoring within the second half.
It took Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma to maintain the rating down with a string of advantageous saves till inadvertently pushing the ball into the legs of Calafiori, who couldn’t stop it from ricocheting into his personal objective.
“They deserved to win and we were never in the game,” Italy coach Luciano Spalletti mentioned. “There was too much of a gulf. We were constantly stretched, we were never able to squeeze the gaps between the various units and they were able to cause us problems. They caused us more problems than the scoreline suggests, let’s not beat around the bush.”
Spain produced a throwback efficiency that dropped at thoughts the years when it dominated worldwide soccer when successful back-to-back Euros and the World Cup from 2008 by means of 2012.
Having did not dominate possession for the primary time in 136 aggressive video games in its opening 3-0 win over Croatia, Spain was again to its previous methods in ravenous Italy of the ball and dictating play in a largely lopsided sport.
Chances got here thick and quick within the first half, with Donnarumma pulling off a string of saves to maintain the rating goalless.
For all of Spain’s superiority, it took Calafiori’s personal objective to interrupt the impasse after halftime.
Donnarumma pushed Alvaro Morata’s glancing header into the legs of Calafiori, who may solely watch because the ball ricocheted into the again of the web.
Williams was then millimeters away from extending the lead with a curling shot that hit the crossbar.
“We dominated across the board,” Williams mentioned. “Italy are an excellent side but we played very well and deserved to win.”
Williams is simply one of many vivid younger stars in De la Fuente’s crew. Yamal is one other, and the Barcelona teenager, who has a $1 billion buyout clause, showcased his skills with slaloming runs and tips.
Barcelona midfielder Pedri appears just like the modern-day reply to Spain nice Andres Iniesta.
“I want to underline the quality of this generation of players, particularly those in this squad. Spanish players are the best in the world,” De la Fuente mentioned.
Spain has endured irritating occasions because it final received the Euros in 2012, with early exits from the final three World Cups.
At the final Euros, it misplaced on penalties to Italy within the semifinals.
But there have been indicators of its resurgence in latest occasions, having received the UEFA Nations League final yr.
Now it appears well-positioned so as to add one other main title in Germany.
“Essentially we haven’t achieved anything yet,” De la Fuente mentioned. “Football can be very cruel. We have to be cautious, humble, and show respect.”
England drew 1-1 with Denmark in Group C after Harry Kane scored after which made a mistake that led to the Danes’ leveler. Kane struck a record-extending sixty fourth objective for his nation to fireside England forward in Frankfurt. But his unfastened go then allowed Morten Hjulmand to equalize from lengthy vary.
In the opposite Group C sport, Luka Jovic scored in stoppage time to salvage a 1-1 for Serbia towards Slovenia.
England leads the group on 4 factors and is more likely to advance to the spherical of 16.
Source: www.dailysabah.com