Spain's players celebrate after the win over Italy at Euro 2024. Photo: AFP
Spain outclassed defending champions Italy and booked a place in the knockout stages of Euro 2024 with a 1-0 win that was settled by Riccardo Calafiori's own goal but could have ended in a much bigger victory for Luis de la Fuente's side.
La Roja, seeking revenge for their elimination from Euro 2020 by the Italians, put the Azzurri on the back foot from the kickoff, driving forward at every opportunity through irrepressible young wingers Nico Williams and Lamine Yamal.
Italy's usually rock-steady defence was unable to stop the red tide and the deadlock was broken in the 55th minute when Williams fired in a cross from the left which glanced off Alvaro Morata's head and Donnarumma's outstretched glove before hitting Calafiori on the knee and going in.
Spain will finish top of Group B regardless of the outcome of their last match in the opening phase against Albania on Monday, and will play a third-placed side from another group in the last 16.
Italy must avoid defeat in their last group game against Croatia to guarantee qualification.
England must wait to secure a berth in the knockout stage after a 1-1 draw with Denmark, a game that Harry Kane brought to life with an early goal but which ended with the Three Lions clinging on for a single point.
It was a second successive lacklustre performance from Gareth Southgate's men, who squandered the chance to become the first England team to win their two opening games at a Euro tournament.
The draw leaves the 2020 runners-up, previously touted as tournament favourites, at the top of Group C on four points, while Denmark are second on two after Slovenia's 1-1 draw with Serbia earlier.
England take on Slovenia in their final group game on Tuesday, while the Danes take on Serbia on the same day, with all four teams still technically able to progress in the tournament depending on the results.
- Reuters