Spain v Italy Euro 2024 player ratings: Williams 9, Yamal 8; Barella 6, Chiesa 3

De la Fuente's Spain clinch last-16 spot in Gelsenkirchen with dominant Group B victory

Unai Simon 7/10

SPAIN RATINGS. Quiet evening as Spain totally dominated possession and chances against Italy. Spain qualify for the last 16 with two wins and no goals conceded so far. Getty Images

Dani Carvajal 7/10

One of the most experienced players in a largely young team and knew exactly what he was doing when he went down after 90 minutes, despite hardly being touched. Booked. AFP

Robin Le Normand 7/10

The French-born defender has been excellent for Real Sociedad this past season. In the wars, and gave up three free kicks, but a solid performance. Booked. AP

Aymeric Laporte 7/10

In for Nacho in the only change to the Spain side which beat Croatia. Late header flew over as he tried to score. And an even later header on 95 minutes put Italy’s final attack out for a corner. Getty ImagesShow less

Marc Cucurella 8/10

Brilliant ball from the left-back to Pedri on 51 minutes as Spain pushed for an opener. Energetic. AP

Pedri 6/10

Headed a first-minute header at Donnarumma when he should have scored. Steered the best chance of the second half wide, then had a better strike on target after 53 minutes. AP

Rodri 7/10

Beautiful angles and passes as Spain had over 60 per cent of possession. Hurt by Cristante 20 seconds into the second half and a weak challenge later allowed the same player space down the right. Booked. ReutersShow less

Fabian Ruiz 8/10

Spain’s biggest shooting threat. Beautiful strike on 24 minutes for the PSG player in a game Spain dominated against a disappointing Italy. AFP

Lamine Yamal 8/10

Lovely turn as Spain attacked well in the first half and curled a left-foot shot inches wide on the hour. Played without fear as he tried to become the youngest player to score at the European Championship. APShow less

Alvaro Morata 7/10

Spain’s captain whipped a cross towards Williams and tried to get shots on target. Flicked a Williams cross – the pair combined well - with his head towards goal, which resulted in the own goal to open the scoring. APShow less

Nico Williams 9/10

Dazzling start as he set up Pedri for a first-minute header. Missed a sitter from a cross from Morata after a rapid run from deep. Fine run down the left before crossing for the opening goal. Bent a shot on to the crossbar after 70 mins. Brilliant performance. APShow less

Alex Baena 6/10

SPAIN SUBS. (On for Pedri, 71'): Villarreal’s attacking midfielder came on for the last 20 minutes. Reuters

Ferran Torres 6/10

(On for Yamal, 71'): Quickly put a cross in. Finished the game marking the far taller Donnarumma as Italy’s goalkeeper captain came up to try and equalise. AP

Mikel Oyarzabal 7/10

(On for Morata, 78'): He’s another Real Sociedad player in Spain’s youthful but, as they showed against Italy, talented squad. Reuters

Ayoze Perez 8/10

(On for Williams, 78'): Some beautiful touches and skill down the left, including a nutmeg on the helpless Di Lorenzo. Two shots on target in the final minutes; he should have scored with the second. Gets people off their seats. EPAShow less

Gianluigi Donnarumma 8/10

ITALY RATINGS. Busy early on with several important stops, repelling a couple of headed chances and a great save from Ruiz. Italy's best player by a mile. AP

Giovanni Di Lorenzo 4/10

Given a torrid time in first half by Williams. Recovered somewhat after the break with some determined blocks but a night to forget. Getty Images

Alessandro Bastoni 6/10

Did his best to stem the Spanish tide, including one vital interception on 38 minutes. EPA

Riccardo Calafiori 5/10

Up and down throughout. Clearly a big prospect and unlucky with own goal. EPA

Federico Dimarco 4/10

Did OK against Yamal. Kept pushing but end product was invariably poor. EPA

Davide Frattesi 4/10

Lots of energy but too many misplaced passes and poor decisions. Hooked at half time. Reuters

Jorginho 4/10

Out of sorts as the Spanish swarmed around him in the first half, no surprise to see him withdrawn at the break. Reuters

Nicolo Barella 6/10

The best of the Italian midfielders but that's not saying a lot. Tough night for a quality player. AP

Federico Chiesa 3/10

Blazed one ugly effort over and then booked in the aftermath. A night to forget. Reuters

Gianluca Scamacca 5/10

Largely marooned up front, save for one slick turn and run on the counter attack. Getty Images

Lorenzo Pellegrini 5/10

Industrious but on the fringes of the game, like so many of his teammates. AP

Bryan Cristante 5/10

ITALY SUBS. Cristante (On for Jorginho, 45'): Booked almost immediately but did dig in and helped his side exert some control. EPA

Andrea Cambiaso 5/10

(On for Frattesi, 45'): Erratic display but made vital goal-line clearance. AP

Mateo Retegui 5/10

(On for Scamacca, 64'): Put himself about with minimal impact. EPA

Mattia Zaccagni 5/10

(On for Chiesa, 64'): Winger provided some energy. EPA

Giacomo Raspadori 5/10

(On for Pellegrini, 82'): Put himself about in closing stages. Reuters

Riccardo Calafiori’s own goal handed Spain a 1-0 victory in a scoreline that flattered beaten defending champions Italy as Luis de la Fuente's dominant side booked their place in the last 16 at Euro 2024 on Thursday night.

Calafiori’s misfortune 10 minutes after half time ultimately settled this Group B encounter in Gelsenkirchen, although had it not been for the heroics of keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, who made a series of vital saves, and the crossbar, which denied the lively Nico Williams a goal, the Spaniards would have prevailed by some distance.

Spain could have been ahead within two minutes had Donnarumma not tipped Pedri’s header from Williams’ cross over his bar, and the traffic was very much one way in the early stages.

Williams then missed a glorious 10th-minute opportunity to open the scoring when he headed wide from Alvaro Morata’s cross with the goal at his mercy.

Williams was causing all kinds of problems for Giovanni Di Lorenzo, while Lamine Yamal was equally potent on the other flank, but it was Ruiz who tested Donnarumma four minutes before the break with a searing attempt from distance.

Italy boss Luciano Spalletti changed things up at the break, sending on Bryan Cristante and Andrea Cambiaso for Jorginho and Davide Frattesi in a bid to gain control, but Cristante was booked for an ugly challenge on Rodri within seconds.

Pedri should have put Spain ahead within seven minutes of the restart when he ran on to Marc Cucurella’s cross but shot wastefully wide.

Donnarumma was finally beaten on 55 minutes when Morata flicked on Williams’ cross and the keeper palmed it on to the helpless Calafiori, who could only bundle into his own net.

Morata saw a long-range effort palmed over and Yamal curled another just wide as Spain went for the kill, prompting a tepid fightback from the Italians which saw Cambiaso fire a dangerous ball across Unai Simon’s box with substitute Mateo Retegui lurking. It was too little, too late.