Spain vs Italy: A mouth-watering tussle awaits between two titans
A mouth-watering clash is surely in store as Spain and Italy prepare to meet up once again at the European championships. La Roja and gli Azzurri are very familiar opponents in this competition, and will square off for the fifth consecutive Euros on Thursday with a round of 16 spot up for grabs for whoever wins this tie.
The stage couldn’t have been better set for what should be a great clash between two titans. Spain come into this game having made a huge statement following a resounding 3-0 win against Croatia, during which highly-rated youngster Lamine Yamal not only started, but also chipped in with an assist to help his side put the match to bed in what turned out to be a rather one-sided affair. On the opposite end of the age spectrum, Real Madrid’s Dani Carvajal also made history as the oldest ever player to score for Spain during a Euro tournament, and now both players will be equally determined to play their part as they take on an Italy side who also come into this match having won their competition opener.
However, unlike Spain who looked largely untroubled during their clash against Croatia, Italy began their competition on wobbly footing as they were 1-0 down inside the first minute. Fortunately for the Azzurri, who are hoping to successfully defend their Euro title, they were able to overturn a 1-0 deficit against Albania to score two without reply and ensure that they come into this crunch clash also sitting on three points. Luciano Spalletti’s squad are hoping to become the first team since Spain to win back to back titles, but ironically, in order to do that, they will need to beat Spain – a team who have proven to be a very frustrating opponent for them across international competitions, to some extent.
Notably, Spain have ended Italy’s hopes in back to back Nations League tournaments, but it’s interestingly a different story when it comes to the Euros. Since beating Italy 4-0 in the Euro 2012 final, it’s been the Azzurri who have gotten some modicum of revenge on La Roja as they eliminated them in the round of 16 during Euro 2016 and in the semi-finals during Euro 2020. Both teams, then, will have that on their minds when they square off in what possibly could be one of two meetings at a European championship – after all, they did meet in the group stages and the final at Euro 2012, so it is not totally out of the realm of possibility that fans may see another reunion between two top sides.
Both teams come into this match in solid form, with Spain suffering just one loss in their last 11 competitive games (seven wins) while Italy have gone even better, with just one loss from their last 12 ties (eight wins). In addition, the Azzurri have not lost in a Euro match since suffering a surprise defeat to Ireland back in 2016, and are now on a ten match unbeaten streak which interestingly started with a 2-0 win over Spain during that same competition.
With Croatia now on the ropes following a shock 2-2 draw against Albania, Group B’s winner looks set to be decided between Spain and Italy, and the stakes couldn’t be higher as these two European giants prepare to take to a very familiar stage on Thursday.
