The Athletic Club star put in a virtuoso performance down the left-hand side and played a hand in Riccardo Calafiori’s own goal that settled the game
Spain secured their place in the Euro 2024 knockout stages as Group B winners as Luis de la Fuente’s side made it two wins from two with their 1-0 win over Italy in Gelsenkirchen. It needed an own goal from Riccardo Calafiori to separate the teams, but La Roja were well worth their victory.
Having confidently beaten Croatia on matchday one, Spain picked up where they left off, and could have been 2-0 up inside 10 minutes as Pedri and Nico Williams both wasted headed opportunities. Alvaro Morata and Fabian Ruiz both went close before the break, too, as Gianluigi Donnarruma denied them both.
At the other end, Italy didn’t muster a shot, and the early minutes of the second half followed a similar pattern, as Pedri fired wide when well placed before Calafiori turned the ball into his own net after Donnarumma pushed Morata’s header into his path.
The goal did seem to spark something in the Azzurri, but they were unable to properly test Unai Simon, and Spain almost added to their lead when Lamine Yamal curled an effort narrowly wide before Williams struck the crossbar with a thunderous strike. Substitute Ayoze Perez, meanwhile, was twice kept out by Donnarruma in the closing stages.
GOAL rates Spain’s players from Veltins-Arena…
Marc Cucurella Spain 2024Getty Images
Goalkeeper & Defence
Unai Simon (6/10):
Didn’t have a whole lot to do, but positioned himself well to snuff out a couple of counter-attacks.
Dani Carvajal (7/10):
Supported Yamal well down the right-hand side and got back well to win the ball the back on occasion.
Robin Le Normand (7/10):
Pretty commanding at the heart of the Spain defence, as he used his physicality well. Used the ball effectively, too.
Aymeric Laporte (6/10):
Looked a little rusty on his return to the team, and was maybe fortunate not to come up against a more testing attack.
Marc Cucurella (8/10):
Justifying his selection over Grimaldo and then some. Locked down Chiesa all night, came inside to cut out Italy passes and caused problems going forward.
Pedri Spain 2024Getty Images
Midfield
Pedri (7/10):
Dynamic dribbling and line-breaking passes caused plenty of problems, but finishing let him down, as he really should have scored early in both halves.
Rodri (6/10):
Kept things ticking over in midfield and shielded the defence well. Picked up a second booking of the tournament, but victory means his suspension will come in a dead rubber for La Roja.
Fabian Ruiz (8/10):
Ran the show in the first half, as he looked to drive Spain forward whenever he picked up possession. Unfortunate not to score with a rasping 30-yard drive that Donnarumma tipped over.
Lamine Yamal Spain 2024Getty Images
Attack
Lamine Yamal (8/10):
Electric yet again as he gave Dimarco all sorts of problems with his flicks, tricks and dribbling. So unlucky not to score with a 20-yard curler in the second half.
Alvaro Morata (7/10):
Industrious in his work up front and showed intelligent movement to provide space for others. Denied on a couple of occasions by Donnarumma.
Nico Williams (9/10):
Di Lorenzo will be having nightmares about the way Williams tore him apart in the first half, and it was the winger’s cross that led to Calafiori’s own goal. Should have scored with a close-range header in the first half; almost made up with it as his long-range effort in the second half crashed off the crossbar.
Luis de la Fuente Spain 2024Getty Images
Subs & Manager
Ferran Torres (5/10):
Didn’t offer much after replacing Yamal.
Alex Baena (6/10):
Played a couple of nice passes as Spain went in search of a second.
Ayoze Perez (7/10):
Displayed some lovely moments of skill and was twice denied by Donnarruma.
Mikel Oyarzabal (6/10):
Replaced Morata for the final 15 minutes.
Mikel Merino (N/A):
On in stoppage-time.
Luis de la Fuente (7/10):
Didn’t change much from the first game and got an even better performance. Decision to play both Yamal and Williams is really paying off.
Source Goal.com
