GELSENKIRCHEN, Germany — Spain qualified for the last 16 of Euro 2024 with a match to spare after beating defending champions Italy 1-0 in a dominant display which ensured that La Roja would go through as Group B winners which manager Luis de la Fuente hailed as the best of his time in charge of the team.
The narrow victory margin would have been far greater but for heroics from Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma and spurned chances, as Italy coach Luciano Spalletti admitted.
Spalletti attributed the yawning chasm between the sides to his players’ lack of freshness, but De la Fuente felt that analysis did not give Spain enough credit.
“Football is not only about freshness and fitness levels, but also tactics and technique,” he said. “I think we were superior across the board from a footballing perspective.
“Perhaps it even seemed that Italy played badly, but that’s because we played very well.
“Italy won the Euro three years ago. We’re still a long way off winning the European Championship.”
Spain’s performance inevitably prompted questions about whether they can win the title.
“I think we’re the best in the world in terms of interpreting various match situations,” he added according to Reuters.
“Of course, that is really reinforced and strengthened when you win silverware. But I think it’s important to really underline the quality of this generation of players, the players that have actually broken into this squad.
“I think the Spanish players are the best in the world.”
De la Fuente knows, however, that it is a long road to Berlin and trophies are not won with impressive performances in the group stage.
“Essentially, we haven’t yet achieved anything,” he said. “OK, we’ve won some important matches. We have wonderful prospects.
“But football can also be very cruel. So we need to be cautious. We need to be humble. We need to show respect. And if they (the players) are able to understand that, all the better.”
Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma made several key saves while Lamine Yamal came close from distance in the second half for La Roja and the outstanding Nico Williams smashed a shot off the bar.
“I am delighted and proud not just with the result against a great side but with the way in which we got it,” said Spain coach Luis de la Fuente.
“It’s very simple, they were faster than us, compact and were right on top of us,” Spalletti admitted according to AFP. “We simply weren’t as bright as them.”
Earlier, England could have secured a last-16 spot as well as they took on Denmark in Frankfurt in Group C but produced an underwhelming performance that leaves more questions over their chances of becoming European champions for the first time.
In a rematch of the Euro 2020 semi-final won by England, it was Gareth Southgate’s men who got off to a perfect start when Harry Kane slotted home after Kyle Walker caught Danish defender Victor Kristiansen napping.
Denmark, though, were worthy of at least a point and got it thanks to a spectacular strike by Morten Hjulmand before half-time.
Phil Foden hit the post for England and Denmark’s Andreas Christensen came close to a late winner in the second half.
But a share of the spoils leaves all to play for in the final games of Group C next Tuesday.
“The challenge is to do something that has never been done before. So it couldn’t be any bigger,” said Southgate of his team’s objective at the competition.
“Clearly we are disappointed with the level of the two performances,” he added after a result which followed their opening 1-0 win against Serbia.
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