GELSENKIRCHEN, Germany — One way or the other, a Riccardo Calafiori personal purpose was the one distinction between Spain and Italy on a Thursday evening when La Roja’s thrilling wingers Nico Williams and Lamine Yamal as soon as once more confirmed they are going to be a pressure to be reckoned with at Euro 2024.
It was Williams’ second-half cross, flicked on by Álvaro Morata, which Calafiori changed into his personal internet as Spain made it six factors from six and booked their place within the spherical of 16 with a recreation to spare.
For Italy, their destiny within the competitors will go all the way down to their final recreation towards Croatia, however they’ll have few complaints concerning the end result on the Enviornment AufSchalke. It might — and may — have been extra. Spain ended the sport with 21 pictures to Italy’s three. After dropping possession in a aggressive recreation for the primary time in 136 matches towards Croatia, they took the ball again right here, however with out dropping the brand new directness that’s more and more characterising this facet underneath coach Luis de la Fuente.
They appear effectively balanced, with Rodri anchoring the midfield, however it’s Williams and Yamal who’ve that means to convey individuals to their ft. They’re the kids who’ve sparked hope {that a} fourth European crown might arrive this summer time.
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To wander round Gelsenkirchen earlier than the sport was to take a stroll down reminiscence lane. Names of heroes from the previous stuffed the again of the shirts of the followers of those two storied soccer nations. Spain supporters toasted Luis Enrique, Raúl González and Andres Iniesta. Roberto Baggio and Andrea Pirlo had been standard names among the many travelling Italy trustworthy.
Laced amongst them, although, had been the names of these attempting to jot down a brand new chapter of their nation’s historical past in Germany. Yamal’s and Williams’ names had been omnipresent, particularly among the many youthful era. They had been then omnipresent on the pitch.
If eyes had typically been on Yamal to this point, if solely due to his age — he grew to become the youngest participant to function within the Euros at 16 years and 338 days outdated in Spain’s opener — then this time it was Williams’ flip to step up. At 21, he’s hardly a veteran himself. Inside two minutes, the Athletic Membership ahead had turned Giovanni Di Lorenzo to arrange Pedri, whose header was saved by Gianluigi Donnarumma.
The sample was set. One other good solo run adopted, Di Lorenzo trying dizzy, and Williams then headed a Morata cross extensive when he might have executed higher.
To not be outdone, Yamal then dribbled in from the left, beating three Italian defenders earlier than feeding Morata. Once more, solely the 6-foot-6 body of Donnarumma stored the sport goalless. By the break, Williams had accomplished 4 take-ons whereas Yamal had three. The opposite 20 gamers on the pitch had accomplished three between them.
Spanish soccer is in good palms 🇪🇸✨ pic.twitter.com/POofR9Qxb1
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) June 20, 2024
Talking after the match, Williams mentioned, “I feel it is my most full efficiency with Spain, and I hope to kick on and be capable to assist the group as a lot as doable. I’ve at all times dreamed of being concerned at this stage, enjoying within the Euros and successful Participant of the Match.”
The King of Spain, Felipe VI, had flown out to Gelsenkirchen for the sport — and he was suitably impressed.
“It is nice to observe them play, we’re simply lacking a purpose,” he informed reporters at half-time. “However the sensations are good and the probabilities we’ve got created … It has been a terrific first half.”
Spain’s dominance compelled Italy coach Luciano Spalletti right into a double substitution earlier than the second half, but it surely did nothing to vary Williams and Yamal’s affect. It was Williams’ cross, nudged on by Morata, which led to Calafiori’s personal purpose.
As soon as forward, Spain did not ease up. Yamal, coming inside once more, whipped off a high-quality effort along with his left foot which shaved the publish. Williams then thumped the bar from the sting of the field. By now, “Nico” chants had been filling the stadium, Spain’s 12,000 supporters outnumbered however outsinging their Italian counterparts.
Spanish newspaper Marca had seen it coming. “Two Ferraris towards Italy,” was the headline on their entrance web page on Thursday alongside an image of Williams and Yamal, a nod to the Italian supercar. They could not but be established on the prime stage like Rodri, who’s extensively seen because the one world-class participant on this group, nor have the expertise of Morata or the Golden Boy award of Pedri, however they’re more and more the poster boys of this Spain group.
Group B
GPWDLGDPTS1 – Spain2200+462 – Italy2101033 – Albania2011-114 – Croatia2011-311, 2: Qualifies for Ro16; 3: Doable qualification
That’s as a result of they provide one thing totally different to previous Spain groups, who had been extra centered on contact and possession at instances. They’ve diversified the methods by which De la Fuente’s group can win a recreation. In addition they provide a glimpse right into a extra numerous Spain.
The story of Williams’ mother and father coming to the nation from Ghana is well-known. Yamal, in the meantime, is the son of a Moroccan and an Equatorial Guinean who was born in Catalonia and grew up within the poor neighbourhood of Rocafonda, exterior of Barcelona. His roots are stitched on his boots within the type of the nationwide flags of his mother and father’ homeland and the numbers 304 — the zip code for Rocafonda.
Williams entered the dressing room to reward from teammates and household. “My teammates applauded me within the dressing room, and I might wish to thank them for serving to me out with their means on the pitch. Once I grabbed my telephone, the primary message I noticed was from my brother right away, a voice message. He offers unconditional help for me. That is for him, my mother and father and the Williams household,” he mentioned.
The brand new-look Spain had been an excessive amount of for Italy. If Italy doubled up on the wingers, there was house inside for Pedri and Fabián Ruiz. In the long run, they might not cease Spain, who should now be thought of among the many favourites to win Euro 2024.
The day had really began with good-humoured meals banter between the 2 units of followers. “Aperol Spritz is healthier than Sangria,” and “Pasta is healthier than Paella,” had been the handwritten sides held up by the followers of Italy, who stay holders of this competitors. Meals rivalries have been a theme of this match. One Spain fan responded by merely holding up his shirt which had “Lomo ibérico” (a cured, high-quality Spanish meat) scribbled on the again.
All that really mattered in Gelsenkirchen, although, was that Williams and Yamal had been higher Italy’s extensive males Federico Chiesa and Davide Frattesi.