Spain edge Italy in Euro classic to reach round 16
Spain players celebrate their victory. Photo: Getty Image
Published By: Kazeem Ugbodaga
By Kazeem Ugbodaga
An own goal by Riccardo Calafiori helped Spain beat defending champions Italy to reach the round of 16 at Euro 2024 in Germany on Thursday.
Calafiori scored an unlucky own goal after he deflected a shot into his own net in the 55th minute of the match.
Earlier in the match, Pedri attempted to convert a lofted cross as he jumped high and headed the ball towards the roof of the net. Gianluigi Donnarumma showed his brilliant reflexes and pulled off a glorious save to stop the ball from hitting the net.
In the 10th minute, Alvaro Morata delivered a perfect cross for Nico Williams, who had simple job scoring from close range but somehow contrived to send the ball just wide of the right post.
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In the 52nd minute, Pedri gave in on a magnificent reverse pass from Marc Cucurella and struck a crisp shot goalwards that just missed the left post.
Lamine Yamal, in the 60th minute had an opportunity to score after he picked the ball up and fired a projectile of a shot from long range which threatened the goalkeeper, but the shot went painfully close to the left post.
In the 71st minute, Nico Williams showed off his amazing technique to get to the edge of the box by himself. He pulled the trigger but sent the ball onto the bar.
Ayoze Perez, one minute into added time zig-zagged his way into the box and drilled a low shot towards the left post, but the goalkeeper pulled off a superb stop.
A minute later, a defence-splitting pass was taken in his stride by Ayoze Perez in the box. Without even looking up he drilled a shot towards the right side of the goal, but Gianluigi Donnarumma pulled off a brilliant save.
