Spain on Thursday secured a spot in the knockout stages of Euro 2024 with a 1-0 victory over Italy in their heavyweight clash, after England struggled to show their credentials in a 1-1 draw with Denmark.
Three-time winners Spain got the better of reigning champions Italy at the Arena AufSchalke in Gelsenkirchen as Riccardo Calafiori bundled the ball into his own net 10 minutes after halftime to decide the encounter.
A second win in as many matches for Spain is enough for them to secure top spot in Group B with a game to spare, meaning they already know they will play their round-of-16 tie in Cologne on June 30 against one of the best third-placed finishers.
Photo: AFP
Italy, meanwhile, are not through yet, but a point against Croatia in Leipzig on Monday would clinch second place in the group for Luciano Spalletti’s team.
The sides were meeting at a fifth consecutive Euros and Spain should have won by a far greater margin as they sought revenge for a defeat on penalties in the semi-finals at Wembley Stadium in London three years ago.
Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma made several key saves, while Lamine Yamal came close from distance in the second half for La Roja and the outstanding Nico Williams smashed a shot off the bar.
“I am delighted and proud not just with the result against a great side, but with the way in which we got it,” Spain coach Luis de la Fuente said.
“It’s very simple, they were faster than us, compact and were right on top of us,” Spalletti said. “We simply weren’t as bright as them.”
Earlier, England could have secured a round-of-16 spot as well as they took on Denmark in Frankfurt in Group C, but produced an underwhelming performance that leaves more questions over their chances of becoming European champions for the first time.
In a rematch of the Euro 2020 semi-final won by England, it was Gareth Southgate’s men who got off to a perfect start when Harry Kane slotted home after Kyle Walker caught Denmark defender Victor Kristiansen napping.
Denmark, though, were worthy of at least a point and got it thanks to a spectacular strike by Morten Hjulmand before halftime.
Phil Foden hit the post for England and Denmark’s Andreas Christensen came close to a late winner in the second half, but a share of the spoils leaves all to play for in the final games of Group C on Tuesday.
“The challenge is to do something that has never been done before. So it couldn’t be any bigger,” Southgate said of his team’s objective at the competition.
“Clearly we are disappointed with the level of the two performances,” he added after a result which followed their opening 1-0 win against Serbia.
The day’s other match in Group C also ended in a 1-1 draw, as Luka Jovic snatched a point for Serbia in the 95th minute to hold Slovenia.
Zan Karnicnik had headed Slovenia in front 21 minutes from time in Munich, but Serbia kept their fate of reaching the round-of-16 in their own hands when AC Milan striker Jovic headed in a corner with virtually the last action of the game.
England top the group on four points, two clear of Denmark and Slovenia, and just need a draw when they face Slovenia in Cologne to be sure of qualifying.
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