The defending champions still have qualification for the last 16 in their own hands, but they looked nothing like potential winners in Gelsenkirchen
Italy are the reigning champions of Europe – but for how much longer? The Azzurri were given a footballing lesson by Spain on Thursday, and although their Group B game in Gelsenkirchen only finished 1-0 courtesy of a desperately unfortunate own goal form Riccardo Calafiori, the gulf in class between the two teams was enormous.
Indeed, had it not been for Gigi Donnarumma, who produced his Euro 2020 best here, Italy would have been routed. They offered nothing going forward until the final 10 minutes, were completely over-run in midfield and their full-backs were tormented by Spain wingers Lamine Yamal and, in particular, Nico Williams.
GOAL rates the Italy players on show at the Veltins-Arena as the Azzurri suffered a demoralising loss that means they will need to avoid defeat against Croatia to ensure their progression to the last 16 of Euro 2024…
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Gianluigi Donnarumma (8/10):
Italy's best player by some distance. Made some stunning stops, with his fingertip save from Fabian Ruiz's piledriver probably the pick of the bunch. Unfortunately, the touch he got on Williams' cross caused Calafiori's own goal.
Giovanni Di Lorenzo (3/10):
He'll be having nightmares about Williams tonight. Despite his best efforts and the support of some team-mates, just couldn't cope with the winger's pace.
Alessandro Bastoni (6/10):
The Inter centre-back was probably Italy's best player in possession. Also made several timely interventions.
Riccardo Calafiori (6/10):
After his commanding competitive debut against Albania, was having another great game – constantly pilfering possession for his side and using the ball well – until disaster struck, with the Bologna man unable to get out of the way of Williams' deflected cross. Still, deserves great credit for immediately regaining his composure.
Federico Dimarco (4/10):
Yamal had his moments, most notably in the second half, but the Inter left-back did a decent job on Spain's teenage sensation. Nothing like his usual menacing self going forward, though.
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Davide Frattesi (4/10):
Showed plenty of effort but absolutely nothing going forward. His half-time withdrawal came as no surprise.
Jorginho (2/10):
Dictated the pace of the game against Albania but absolutely atrocious here against top-class opponents. Rightly subbed after a shocking first-half display in which he repeatedly gave the ball away.
Nicolo Barella (5/10):
The Inter midfielder really put himself about and created one of Italy's very few chances, but he was nowhere near his best – which was probably understandable in the circumstances.
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Federico Chiesa (2/10):
A shadow of the player that illuminated Euro 2020. Totally dominated by Cucurella and could have no complaints about his 63rd-minute substitution.
Gianluca Scamacca (4/10):
Would be wrong to be too harsh on a striker that was isolated and starved of service, but even when he did get the ball, the Atalanta attacker usually gave it away.
Lorenzo Pellegrini (5/10):
Worked hard to win the ball back for his under-siege side but he got nutmegged by Yamal at one point and was never a threat from an offensive perspective either.
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Bryan Cristante (6/10):
Booked just seconds after coming on but did play a part in shoring up Italy's midfield the longer the second half went on.
Andrea Cambiaso (5/10):
Gave the ball away in a dangerous area with pretty much his first touch, but he later cleared a header off his own line.
Mateo Retegui (5/10):
Took over up top from Scamacca and looked a tad more capable. Another potential starter against Croatia.
Mattia Zaccagni (6/10):
Replaced Chiesa on the left wing and was more menacing, not that that's saying much!
Giacomo Raspadori (N/A):
Thrown up front for the last 10 minutes.
Luciano Spalletti (5/10):
The former Napoli boss was always likely to be up against it in this match. This is a poor Italy squad and he's not had much time to work with it. In that sense, it's hard to know what else he could have done. He tried to change things at the break, but it was always likely that a vastly superior Spain side would wear Italy down eventually. He'll just try take encouragement from the fact that his team finished strongly.