Spain v Italy LIVE: Result and reaction as Nico Williams skill forces own goal winner in Euro 2024 clash

Riccardo Calafiori’s own goal handed Spain a 1-0 victory over defending champions Italy as they booked their place in the last 16 at Euro 2024.

The defender’s misfortune 10 minutes after the break ultimately settled the Group B contest in Gelsenkirchen, although had it not been for the heroics of keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, who made a string of fine saves, and the crossbar, which denied the impressive Nico Williams a deserved goal, the Spaniards would have prevailed in some comfort.

Spain would have been ahead within two minutes had Donnarumma not managed to tip Pedri’s header from Williams’ pinpoint cross over his bar, and the traffic was very much one-way throughout most of the game.

Relive the updates from Spain v Italy below.

Spain vs Italy

• Spain defeat Italy in heavyweight Group B clash and qualify for last-16

• REPORT: Nico Williams lights up Spain and gives Euro 2024 a flash of something unmissable

• ANALYSIS: Just when you think you’ve seen it all, Euro 2024 offers something new with Spain and Italy duel

• RATINGS: Pedri and Nico Williams the stars as La Roja win Euro 2024 Group B

• Albania and Croatia played out a 2-2 draw, putting Spain and Italy in a strong position

• 55’ GOAL! - Calafiori’s own goal puts Spain into the lead (ESP 1-0 ITA)

Spain 1 - 0 Italy

Nico Williams lights up Spain and gives Euro 2024 a flash of something unmissable

22:41 , Mike Jones

As Nico Williams weighed up Giovanni Di Lorenzo in the early moments of the second half on a charged evening in Gelsenkirchen, the Italy defender must have felt as if his night was never going to end.

Williams had been everywhere but still had one more trick: Italy had compromised their gameplan in an attempt to finally subdue the thrilling Spain winger, but Williams carried the spirit of this young team and simply went again as he found the avenue to his left.

A moment that had been building since kick-off finally arrived as Williams produced the cross that led to Riccardo Calafiori’s own goal.

By the end, Spain had battered Italy 1-0.

Nico Williams lights up Spain and gives Euro 2024 a flash of something unmissable

Just when you think you’ve seen it all, Euro 2024 offers something new with Spain and Italy duel

22:01 , Mike Jones

Just when you think Euro 2024 has given you a bit of everything, it gives you something new. Because Spain’s Group B clash with Italy, the tournament’s first meeting of major footballing nations, was certainly different to every game that came before it.

Just one hour earlier, a rematch of one of the 2021 semi-finals had concluded – England drawing with Denmark – and Thursday’s late game carried the same status, but greater prestige.

Other games in Germany this week had felt like big ‘occasions’, but this felt like the first big match, in a purely sporting tense. It was as if this was a semi-final.

Just when you think you’ve seen it all, Euro 2024 offers something new

Gary Neville on Spain’s performance:

22:11 , Mike Jones

“Spain could have been two or three up at half-time. They weren’t ruthless at the last tournament, is that going to carry on to this one and is it going to cost them in the end?

“They should be scoring more goals with some of the football they are playing, which is outstanding.”

Spain vs Italy player ratings: Pedri and Nico Williams the stars as La Roja win Euro 2024 Group B

22:03 , Mike Jones

Spain won their second match at Euro 2024 by beating Italy 1-0, ensuring they’ll top Group B regardless of the final round of games.

La Roja were dominant throughout and actually wasted three or four great chances to open the scoring before Riccardo Calafiore turned a Nico Williams cross into his own net. It leaves Italy second, with Croatia and Albania both on a point apiece ahead of the final round of games.

Here are the player ratings for both teams from the match:

Spain vs Italy ratings: Pedri and Williams the stars in La Roja win

FT Spain 1-0 Italy

22:00 , Mike Jones

Group B standings:

Spain - 6 points

Italy - 3 points

Albania - 1 point

Croatia - 1 point

Full-time! Spain 1-0 Italy

21:54 , Mike Jones

90+4 mins: There goes the final whistle!

Spain get over the line against Italy and qualify for the last-16. Gianluigi Donnarumma had to come up with a couple of last ditch saves towards the end of the game but Italy couldn’t capitalise.

Spain’s goal was fortuitous but they deserved the victory and now sit top of Group B on their own.

Spain 1-0 Italy

21:49 , Mike Jones

90 mins: Four minutes of added time to play. Will Spain close this game out or is there a way back for Italy?

Spain 1-0 Italy

21:44 , Mike Jones

86 mins: Italy win a corner with most of the target men gathered by the back post. The delivery comes to the near one and gets flicked on but Unai Simon plucks the ball out of the air and calms things down for Spain.

Spain 1-0 Italy

21:42 , Mike Jones

83 mins: This is good work from Spain. Ayoze Perez makes a weaving run down the left wing and keeps possession for as long as he can.

When Italy win it back Spain are sat ready to defend with a fluid, compact shape.

Spain 1-0 Italy

21:37 , Mike Jones

80 mins: Alvaro Morata and Nico Williams now make their way off the pitch for Spain. They’ve both played pivotal parts in getting their team into the lead but will miss the final 10 minutes of this close encounter.

Replacing them are Ayoze Perez and Mikel Oyarzabal.

Spain 1-0 Italy

21:34 , Mike Jones

76 mins: There’ll come a time that Spain start to consider holding onto this lead and securing the points. Italy have been the better, more proactive time over the last 10 minutes or so.

Donnarumma overhits a pass and Williams nicks back possession. Spain decide to keep hold of the hold instead of overcommitting men up the pitch.

Spain 1-0 Italy

21:32 , Mike Jones

73 mins: Robin Le Normand gives up a free kick just outside his own penalty area and this is a real chance for Italy to strike back. Lorenzo Pellegrini has the ball at his feet for this set piece.

He lines up a shot and lifts it over the wall. Unai Simon has it covered and watches as the floaty effort goes over the top.

Spain 1-0 Italy

21:29 , Mike Jones

70 mins: 20 minutes to go in this one with Italy starting to make things click. They haven’t been great inside the final third as Barella looks to feed in Dimarco who is just offside.

Woodwork!

At the other end of the pitch Cucurella feeds the ball up to Williams who dances onto his right foot and laces a right-footed shot onto the crossbar.

Spain 1-0 Italy

21:25 , Mike Jones

67 mins: Italy are having a good period on the ball before Cristante lifts a long ball forward and gives it away to Unai Simon. They’ll need a bit more patience if they want to get back into this match.

Spain 1-0 Italy

21:22 , Mike Jones

64 mins: More changes for Italy. Federico Chiesa and Gianluca Scamacca are hooked with Mattia Zaccagni and Mateo Retegui brought on in their place.

Can the substitutes ignite a bit of urgency into Italy’s play?

Spain 1-0 Italy

21:19 , Mike Jones

61 mins: Close!

Lamine Yamal brings the ball inside from the left wing and plays a nice short give-and-go with Fabian Ruiz to set up a better angle to shoot.

When the shot comes Yamal curls one towards the back post and just sends it wide!

Spain 1-0 Italy

21:16 , Mike Jones

58 mins: Italy are going to have to change things up now. They’ve been the second best team in this match but Spain haven’t been able to get away from them and the goal was a stroke of luck.

If Italy can get back on level terms they’ll be hard to beat again.

Morata strikes one from range but Donnarumma makes a comfortable save.

GOAL! Spain 1-0 Italy (Calafiori OG, 55’)⚽️

21:14 , Mike Jones

55 mins: There’s the opener!

Spain sweep down the left wing through Williams who flicks a cross into the box. Morata is on hand to nod the ball at goal where Donnarumma pushes the ball on.

There’s no time for Calafiori to react as the deflected ball strikes his leg and bounces into the back of the net.

The deadlock is broken.

Spain 0-0 Italy

21:12 , Mike Jones

54 mins: Close!

Marc Cucurella makes an underlapping run into the box and is fed the ball by Nico Williams. Cucurella pulls it back and expertly picks out Pedri who sidefoots his shot wide of the nearest post!

How’s he missed the target there?

Spain 0-0 Italy

21:09 , Mike Jones

51 mins: As expected Spain have picked up where they left off. Controlling possession, forcing Italy deep and looking to score. Gianluca Scamacca recovers possession and drives the Italians forward from the halfway line.

Federico Chiesa sprints forward to help out but Unai Simon is sharply off his line to close down the forward and end the attack.

Spain 0-0 Italy

21:06 , Mike Jones

48 mins: Bryan Cristante replaced Jorginho as half-time for Italy and immediately gets stuck into the action with a crunching tackle on Rodri who stays down.

He needs a bit of treatment before he’s ready to play on. Cristante goes in the book.

Second half! Spain 0-0 Italy

21:04 , Mike Jones

Here we go.

The ball gets rolling for the second half, Spain are hoping to get rewarded for their advantage in the first half, Italy hoping to sneak a goal and take the lead.

Let’s see how it all plays out.

HT Spain 0-0 Italy

20:58 , Mike Jones

This will be the 11th encounter between Spain and Italy at a major tournament, across the Euro (8) and World Cup (3), a record between two European nations.

It’s the fifth consecutive Euro tournament at which they’ve met going back to 2008, also a record.

HT Spain 0-0 Italy

20:54 , Mike Jones

Gary Neville insists Declan Rice needs to play further up the field after looking “nervous” in England’s draw against Denmark at Euro 2024.

Gareth Southgate’s side remain unbeaten and top of Group C on four points and on the brink of progress to the last 16.

But Neville is adamant Rice is not at the same level as some of the best holding midfielders in Europe when picking the ball up from the back line and claims Southgate could learn from how Mikel Arteta handled him for Arsenal towards the end of the season.

Neville highlights the problem with Rice after ‘nervous’ England display

Half-time: Spain 0-0 Italy

20:49 , Lawrence Ostlere

There’s the half-time whistle.

Pedri and Nico Williams squandered huge early headed chances, and although Spain dominated the rest of the half, they were mostly limited to pot shots from around the box. Italy offered almost nothing, but on the plus side, they are halfway to a very useful draw.

Spain 0-0 Italy

20:47 , Lawrence Ostlere

45 min: Italy make a rare foray forwards and Federico Chiesa wastes the moment, lashing over from the right corner of the penalty box.

Spain 0-0 Italy

20:45 , Lawrence Ostlere

43 min: Italy are just a couple of minutes away now from the safety of half-time. They need to regroup and perhaps make a change.

Spain 0-0 Italy

20:42 , Lawrence Ostlere

40 min: Fabian Ruiz gets another shot away from range, but it’s comfortable for Donnarumma to collect.

Spain 0-0 Italy

20:41 , Lawrence Ostlere

38 min: The sting has been taken out of Spain’s play a little in the last few minutes, and Italy are enjoying a breather of sorts, passing the ball between themselves in defence as Spain sit off. For now.

Spain 0-0 Italy

20:38 , Lawrence Ostlere

35 min: ... but it comes to nothing.

Spain have been excellent everywhere but the Italian penalty area.

Spain 0-0 Italy

20:37 , Lawrence Ostlere

34 min: Williams produces another lovely bit of skill on Spain’s left wing and wins a free-kick, from where he can deliver a cross...

Spain 0-0 Italy

20:31 , Lawrence Ostlere

29 min: Morata tries a bit of skill that doesn’t come off on the edge of the Italian box, and he ends up clumsily fouling Di Lorenzo in an attempt to win back the ball.

Spain 0-0 Italy

20:29 , Lawrence Ostlere

26 min: Rodri tries a long-range shot but it’s well wide of the target. A moment later, Spain stitch together a nice passing move and Rodri has another chance from the edge of the box, but this time it’s blocked.

Spain 0-0 Italy

20:26 , Lawrence Ostlere

23 min: Fabian Ruiz chests down the ball around 30 yards out, looks up, and decides to crack a shot at goal. It’s a fizzing effort and it takes a good save from Donnarumma to keep it out.

Spain 0-0 Italy

20:23 , Lawrence Ostlere

20 min: This is one of the best periods of play I’ve seen during this European Championship so far. Spain have had an excellent 20 minutes or so, controlling most of the play and zipping the ball around sharply, against a strong opponent, and the only thing missing is the finishing touch.

Spain 0-0 Italy

20:21 , Lawrence Ostlere

18 min: Nico Williams drives into the box once more but this time his pass is intercepted. He has been outstanding so far, other than that big miss in front of goal which, admittedly, was quite a key moment.

Spain 0-0 Italy

20:17 , Lawrence Ostlere

15 min: Spain are monopolising the ball, and not in their old way of passing for passing’s sake. There is plenty of forward momentum in everything they are doing right now.

Spain 0-0 Italy

20:14 , Lawrence Ostlere

12 min: Italy finally show some attacking intent as Pellegrini brings the ball down the left wing and crosses towards Dimarco, but can’t quite pick out his teammate.

Spain 0-0 Italy

20:12 , Lawrence Ostlere

9 min: Oh wow, what a miss! Alvaro Morata whips in a beautiful cross for Nico Williams to nod home from six yards, unmarked, but the winger can’t hit the target and that’s a huge let-off for Italy, who are being completely outplayed right now.

Spain 0-0 Italy

20:08 , Lawrence Ostlere

6 min: Pedri slides into a challenge with Pellegrini and catches the Italian forward on the shin. The referee is quickly on to the scene to award a foul, though Pedri’s opponents are urging more. No card is forthcoming, however, and Pellegrini soon hops to his feet.

Spain 0-0 Italy

20:05 , Lawrence Ostlere

4 min: Williams has made a brilliant start and he’s jinking into the box again a moment later, though this time the ball just slides away from his control as he reaches the six-yard box.

Spain 0-0 Italy

20:03 , Lawrence Ostlere

2 min: Nico Williams races down the left side and floats a cross perfectly on to the head of Pedri, but the midfielder’s header is diverted over the bar by Donnarumma. Bright by Spain, and that was a big chance.

Kick-off! Spain 0-0 Italy

20:00 , Lawrence Ostlere

The referee gives his whistle a peep, and we’re off!

Spain v Italy – Euro 2024

19:56 , Lawrence Ostlere

The players are out on the pitch in Gelsenkirchen and lined up for the national anthems.

Spain v Italy – confirmed line-ups

19:51 , Lawrence Ostlere

A reminder of the two line-ups tonight, as Spain make the only change in either line-up with Aymeric Laporte coming into defence in place of Nacho.

Spain XI: Simon; Carvajal, Le Normand, Laporte, Cucurella; Pedri, Rodri, Ruiz; Yamal, Morata, Williams.

Italy XI: Donnarumma; Di Lorenzo, Bastoni, Calafiori, Dimarco; Jorginho, Barella; Chiesa, Frattesi, Pellegrini; Scamacca.

Spain and Italy’s reverse culture clash brings new chapter to classic Euros rivalry

19:45 , Jamie Braidwood

Spain attempted just 455 passes during the 3-0 win over Croatia, less than half of their total from the existential crisis of a defeat to Morocco in the last 16 in of the 2022 World Cup. If it showed how much has already changed since the days of Luis Enrique, with Serbia, Switzerland and Austria all attempting more passes than Spain in their opening matches, Italy’s total was just as instructive. By contrast, no team attempted more passes than Italy in the Azzuri’s opening win over Albania in Dortmund.

But Spalletti, a perfectionist, demanded more. He always does. “What matters is winning? No, what matters is playing good football,” Spalletti said after the 2-1 victory over Albania, a night that saw the Azzurri recover from the fastest goal in European Championship history. “In order to be Italy’s head coach, or in order for us, we only have one route to do so – that’s via good football,” he said. “If you don’t play good football, there are teams better than us. If you go and play with the same things the better teams have, they will win.”

Spain vs Italy preview

Spain and Italy’s reverse culture clash brings new chapter to classic Euros rivalry

Spain vs Italy: Latest Euro 2024 build-up

19:36 , Jamie Braidwood

What an atmosphere already in Gelsenkirchen. A real sense of occasion and the feel of a knockout tie as we get our first big clash of two heavyweight nations at Euro 2024.

Spain vs Italy: Latest Euro 2024 build-up

19:30 , Jamie Braidwood

Lamine Yamal became the youngest player to appear in a European Championship as Spain’s new generation brushed aside Croatia’s challenge 3-0 in their opening game.

Yamal, aged 16 years, 338 days, also became the youngest to set up a goal at the tournament when he crossed for Dani Carvajal to score Spain’s third goal before the break.

The Barcelona forward, who was born after Croatia midfielder Luka Modric was playing in Euro 2008, was praised by Luis de la Fuente after the game and has been given the nod to start against Italy.

“Yamal is impressing everyone and going up through the levels,” De la Fuente said. “He has to keep improving every day, and over time he will become a wonderful footballer.”

Spain vs Italy: Latest Euro 2024 build-up

19:15 , Jamie Braidwood

Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente ahead of facing Italy: “They are contenders in every international competition. Spain vs Italy is a classic game, it could very easily be the final.

“They have great players, a great coach, and a real football culture. They’re one of the great national teams. I’m sure it’ll be a great show and a great game. It will be a contest worthy of this competition. We’ll do our best to win it.

"We are prepared to get muddy, to dig deep in a quarry and for a day in the office. Ready for everything. We know what kind of football they play and how competitive they are, so we won’t be surprised. I expect a strong, aggressive Italy who will try to control possession.”

Spain vs Italy: Latest Euro 2024 build-up

19:12 , Jamie Braidwood

Italy head coach Luciano Spalletti ahead of facing Spain: “When you play a Euro, all games are finals, all games are unique, all games are something to remember.

“We want to play the same kind of football we played against Albania and measure ourselves against one of the strongest teams in Europe. I’m sure that if we leave the ball to them, it will end badly for us. So we will have to take the initiative and see if we manage to do so against such great opponents.

“Spain will set up differently based on how we played [against Albania], and will squeeze us more. Against Spain, there will be, play the ball forward more, be more direct. They tend to be more aggressive in bite, so there’s more chance to play behind the defensive line. It’s unlikely we’ll see something similar to what we saw tonight.”

Italy team news and confirmed line-up vs Italy

18:58 , Jamie Braidwood

Luciano Spalletti has named an unchanged Italy team to face Spain, as the Azzurri line up with the same side that beat Albania 2-1 in their opener.

Italy XI: Donnarumma; Di Lorenzo, Bastoni, Calafiori, Dimarco; Jorginho, Barella; Chiesa, Frattesi, Pellegrini; Scamacca

Spain vs Italy: Latest Euro 2024 build-up

18:45 , Jamie Braidwood

Scenes in Gelsenkirchen as we build up to Spain vs Italy.

Spain team news and confirmed line-up vs Italy

18:28 , Jamie Braidwood

Spain have made made one change from the 3-0 win over Croatia, with Aymeric Laporte replacing Nacho in defence. They are unchanged elsewhere.

Spain XI: Simon; Carvajal, Le Normand, Laporte, Cucurella; Pedri, Rodri, Ruiz; Yamal, Morata, Williams.

Spain vs Italy: Latest Euro 2024 build-up

18:10 , Jamie Braidwood

Where do Spain and Italy land in our updated Euro 2024 power rankings?

7. Italy ↔️

The reigning champions have endured a mostly torrid time since the last Euros, but looked impressive for large chunks of their 2-1 win over Albania, despite conceding that disastrous early goal. They remain short of an elite goalscorer, but Lorenzo Pellegrini and Federico Chiesa can make up the difference from the wide forward roles.

Spain vs Italy: Latest Euro 2024 build-up

17:50 , Jamie Braidwood

Where do Spain and Italy land in our updated Euro 2024 power rankings?

5. Spain ↔️

An exciting new generation of Spanish players is showing itself at these Euros, primarily through the talents of Atletico’s Nico Williams and Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal – the 16-year-old Yamal is already one of Barca’s best players and looked bright in an opening 3-0 win over Croatia. Spain looked open at times and allowed Croatia 16 shots – a better opponent would surely have capitalised – but it was a convincing scoreline nonetheless and their clash with Italy will be fascinating.

Spain vs Italy: Latest Euro 2024 build-up

17:30 , Jamie Braidwood

Spain vs Italy head-to-head: 2021

Five years and one tournament on, at Euro 2020, Italy earned further revenge against Spain with a semi-final victory on penalties following a thrilling 1-1 draw at Wembley.

Federico Chiesa scored a stunning goal on the counter-attack to give Italy the lead but Spain found a deserved equaliser as Alvaro Morata came off the bench to force extra time.

Italy, though, found a way to win and Gianluigi Donnarumma was the hero in the shoot-out as he saved from Morata and Jorginho rolled in the winner.

Italy would go on to do the same against England in the final as they become European champions for the first time.

Spain vs Italy: Latest Euro 2024 build-up

17:10 , Jamie Braidwood

Spain vs Italy head-to-head: 2016

Italy’s revenge, and a masterclass from Antonio Conte. Spain lost a knockout game for the first time in 10 years as Italy executed Conte’s gameplan to perfection and the holders were eliminated following a 2-0 defeat in Saint-Denis in the Euro 2016 last-16.

Conte’s wing-back system and tactics saw the Azzurri dominate, with Giorgio Chiellini scrambling in the opener before Italy fell back onto their defence and Graziano Pelle sealed victory in injury time. Italy went on to lost to Germany on penalties in the quarter-finals.

Spain vs Italy: Latest Euro 2024 build-up

16:50 , Jamie Braidwood

Spain vs Italy head-to-head: 2012

After a 1-1 draw in the group stage of Euro 2012, Spain and Italy met again in the Kyiv final. Spain crowned a golden era with a dominant 4-0 victory, with goals from David Silva, Jordi Alba, Fernando Torres and Juan Mata.

“We had the perfect game,” said Andres Iniesta. We dominated, moved the ball quickly, and created lots of chances. I think it’s one of the national team’s greatest games.”

Spain vs Italy: Latest Euro 2024 build-up

16:30 , Jamie Braidwood

Spain vs Italy head-to-head: 2008

Spain’s quarter-final victory over Italy proved a seminal moment for their golden generation, leading to European Championship titles in 2008 and 2012 and the 2010 World Cup.

La Roja had lost three penalty shoot-outs in Euro quarter-finals before meeting Italy, then world champions following the 2006 World Cup, in Vienna on 22 June 2008.

After a 0-0 draw in extra time, goalkeeper Iker Casillas saved three penalties in the shoot-out as Spain broke new ground. They didn’t look back.

Spain vs Italy: Latest Euro 2024 build-up

16:10 , Jamie Braidwood

Spain and Italy are meeting at a fifth European Championship in a row at Euro 2024 as an iconic football rivalry gets another new chapter in Germany.

This is the most-played fixture in European Championship history and will be their eighth clash in the history of the tournament.

Games between Spain and Italy have tended to be tight, low-scoring affairs, with one obvious exception.

While Italy have two wins and four games have finished as a draw or gone to penalties, Spain achieved what was close to perfection with a 4-0 victory against in the Euro 2012 final.

Spain vs Italy: Latest Euro 2024 build-up

15:50 , Jamie Braidwood

Elsewhere in Group B: Croatia 2-2 Albania

Klaus Gjasula struck five minutes into stoppage time to rescue a 2-2 draw for Albania against Croatia in a thriller in Hamburg and keep alive their hopes of reaching the Euro 2024 knockout stages.

The 2022 World Cup semi-finalists looked to have secured a fine comeback win after Andrej Kramaric scored in the 74th minute to cancel out Qazim Laci’s early goal for Albania, then midfielder Gjasula inadvertently turned the ball past his own goalkeeper two minutes later.

But with time almost up, Albania attacked down the left and the ball was crossed to Gjasula who fired left footed into the corner to stun Croatia and set up a tense finale to Group B. After both sides lost their opening matches of the tournament, only final-game victories over Spain and Italy will likely be enough to see either qualify.

Meanwhile, a win for either Spain or Italy would secure their place in the last-16.

Klaus Gjasula goes from zero to hero in dramatic Albania draw with Croatia

15:20 , Jamie Braidwood

Last time out: Italy 2-1 Albania

Italy were wobbling, their crown teetering on the edge as the Westfalenstadion exploded and the drums pounded in their ears. Albania stunned Italy with the fastest goal in Euros history, coming after just 23 seconds, as Federico Dimarco left his throw-in short, Alessandro Bastoni melted into the ground, and then, before anyone could understand what was happening, Nedim Bajrami thumped a strike inside Gianluigi Donnarumma’s near post. Bajrami raced away, falling into the embrace of a stadium losing its head.

Italy trudged back to halfway and in that moment it seemed the latest twist in the cycle of turmoil that has followed the Azzurri since they defeated England on penalties to win the Euros.

But what followed was a different story, one not of Albania resistance, but of Italy discovering themselves again.

Report from Dortmund

Italy recover from 23 seconds of madness to find themselves again

Spain vs Italy: Latest Euro 2024 build-up

14:50 , Jamie Braidwood

Last time out: Spain 3-0 Croatia

A new Spain, in more ways than one. As Lamine Yamal, who was not even a year old when they won Euro 2008, became first the youngest footballer to play in a European Championships and then, before half-time, the youngest to set up a goal in one, Luis de la Fuente’s side made a break with the past.

With less possession and more potency, Spain looked like a team trying to cast off the influence of their champion sides. They had 47 per cent of the ball but scored three goals. After going out of successive World Cups in knockout games where they attempted over 1,000 passes each, but seemed to show precious little interest in scoring, this was Spain, but not as we knew them.

Richard Jolly’s report from Berlin

Lamine Yamal dazzles as face of new Spain to validate overdue change

Spain vs Italy: Latest Euro 2024 build-up

14:20 , Jamie Braidwood

As Luciano Spalletti prepares for the biggest challenge of his first year in charge of Italy, the 65-year-old is relishing the occasion of facing the highest exponents of his philosophy in Spain. The grandest rivalry in European Championship history will take a new twist at Euro 2024, as Gelsenkirchen stages the first heavyweight clash of a tournament that has so far been defined by the unfancied nations seizing their opportunity. Spalletti knows his Italy side remain a work in progress if they are to reach the levels of possession once set by Spain, who themselves represent something different from what has come before.

Preview ahead of Spain vs Italy

Spain and Italy’s reverse culture clash brings new chapter to classic Euros rivalry

Spain v Italy TV channel, start time and how to watch Euro 2024 fixture tonight

14:06 , Jamie Braidwood

Luis de la Fuente’s impressive Spain side will take on competition holders Italy in the first meeting of two continental giants at Euro 2024. The match is a replay of the Euro 2020 semi-final, in which the Azzurri won 6-5 on penalties after a 1-1 draw.

La Roja produced a brilliant display to dismantle Croatia on their way to a 3-0 win in their opening group game. 16-year-old Lamine Yamal grabbed the headlines, with Alvaro Morata and Fabian Ruiz also on the scoresheet to give Spain the lead in Group B.

Italy recovered from conceding the quickest goal in European Championship history against Albania, with Alessandro Bastoni and Nicolo Barella completing a rapid turnaround to give Luciano Spalletti’s side an unconvincing 2-1 win. Those results have set up a crunch match at the top of Group B, with either side likely to top the group if they can find a winner in Gelsenkirchen on Thursday.

Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the Group B fixture:

Spain v Italy TV channel, start time and how to watch Euro 2024 fixture tonight

Spain vs Italy: Latest Euro 2024 build-up

14:05 , Jamie Braidwood

Predicted line-ups

Spain: Simon; Carvajal, Nacho, Le Normand, Cucurella; Pedri, Rodri, Ruiz; Yamal, Morata, Williams.

Italy: Donnarumma; Di Lorenzo, Bastoni, Calafiori, Dimarco; Frattesi, Jorginho, Barella; Chiesa, Scamacca, Pellegrini.

Spain vs Italy: Latest Euro 2024 build-up

14:03 , Jamie Braidwood

Early Italy team news

The Azzurri have no fresh injuries either, and a lack of depth means it is likely that Luciano Spalletti will start the same eleven that narrowly beat Albania.

The Italian defence seems set in stone, and there is little alternative to the quality of Barella and Jorginho in midfield. Italy were pedestrian at times in attack against Albania, though Federico Chiesa was impressive and will surely keep his place on the wing. Gianluca Scamacca remains the biggest goal threat, with none of the five subs making a notable impact last week.

Spain vs Italy: Latest Euro 2024 build-up

14:02 , Jamie Braidwood

Early Spain team news

There are no new injury concerns for Spain, despite both Rodri and Morata coming off in the win against Croatia. Given how the team performed, it is unlikely that Luis de la Fuente will opt for any changes to the starting eleven.

Substitutes including Olmo, Oyarzabal and Torres did not produce enough during their cameos to suggest they earned a place in the starting line-up. If there was one area to experiment in, it may be the defence, with Bundesliga-winner Alejandro Grimaldo a viable, more attacking option in place of Chelsea’s Marc Cucurella at left-back. Both Nico Williams and Alvaro Morata did enough to keep their places in the eleven, though Oyarzabal and Joselu will be lurking.

Spain vs Italy: Latest Euro 2024 build-up

14:01 , Jamie Braidwood

When is Spain v Italy?

The match will kick off at 8pm BST on Thursday 20 June at the Arena AufSchalke in Gelsenkirchen.

What TV channel is it on?

Spain vs Italy will be shown live on ITV and ITVX, with coverage starting at 7.15pm. You can find a full list of which channel is showing each match here.

If you’re travelling abroad and want to watch major sporting events, you might need a VPN to unblock your streaming app. Our VPN round-up is here to help and includes deals on VPNs in the market. Viewers using a VPN need to make sure that they comply with any local regulations where they are, and also with the terms of their service provider.

Spain vs Italy

Wednesday 19 June 2024 14:55 , Sonia Twigg

Good afternoon and welcome to the Independent’s live build up, team news and coverage of the late Euro 2024 kick off between Spain and Italy.

Spain comfortably won their Euro 2024 opener against Croatia, while Italy had to come from behind to beat Albania.