GELSENKIRCHEN, Germany — Europe beware — Spain might just be back.
The three-time European champion advanced to the round of 16 at Euro 2024 after a 1-0 win against holder Italy on Thursday.
A 55th-minute own goal by Riccardo Calafiori settled the Group B game at the Veltins Arena in Gelsenkirchen. But that didn’t begin to tell the story of a statement performance from Spain, which surely marks it as one of the favourites to win a record-extending fourth European Championship.
“I think it was the best Spain performance I have taken charge of,” coach Luis de la Fuente said. “I don’t see a ceiling on this team. The sky is the limit.”
Spain totally dominated defending champion Italy, with 16-year-old winger Lamine Yamal further enhancing his reputation as one of soccer’s most exciting young stars.
Player of the match Nico Williams also tormented Italy’s defenders and was the width of the crossbar away from scoring in the second half.
It took Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma to keep the score down with a string of fine saves until inadvertently pushing the ball into the legs of Calafiori, who couldn’t prevent it from ricocheting into his own goal.
“They deserved to win and we were never in the game,” Italy coach Luciano Spalletti said.
Spain produced a throwback performance that brought to mind the years when it ruled international soccer when winning back-to-back Euros and the World Cup from 2008 through 2012.
Having failed to dominate possession for the first time in 136 competitive games in its opening 3-0 win over Croatia, Spain was back to its old ways in starving Italy of the ball and dictating play in a largely lopsided game.
Chances came thick and fast in the first half, with Donnarumma pulling off a string of saves to keep the score goalless.
For all of Spain’s superiority, it took Calafiori’s own goal to break the deadlock after halftime.
Donnarumma pushed Alvaro Morata’s glancing header into the legs of Calafiori, who could only watch as the ball ricocheted into the back of the net.
Williams was then millimeters away from extending the lead with a curling shot that hit crossbar.
Spain has endured frustrating times since it last won the Euros in 2012, with early exits from the last three World Cups.
At the last Euros, it lost on penalties to Italy in the semifinals.
Having won the UEFA Nations League last year, it looks well-positioned to add another major title in Germany.
“Essentially we haven’t achieved anything yet,” De la Fuente said. “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 and then made a mistake that led to the Danes’ leveler. Kane struck a record-extending 64th goal for his country to fire England ahead in Frankfurt. But his loose pass then allowed Morten Hjulmand to equalize from long range.
In the other Group C game, Luka Jovic scored in stoppage time to salvage a 1-1 for Serbia against Slovenia.
England leads the group on four points and is likely to advance to the round of 16.