A brilliant display by Antonio Conte's team carried them through
to a quarter-final with Germany, dismantling defending champions Spain.
Graziano Pelle of Italy celebrates scoring his team's second goal against Spain.
Italy broke a 22-year hoodoo to
end Spain's bid for a record third successive European title with a
deserved 2-0 win over familiar foes in an absorbing last 16 clash
between the two heavyweights at Euro 2016 on Monday.
Italy triumphed with goals from Giorgio Chiellini and Graziano Pelle and will face Germany in the quarter-finals.
The Italians, who had not won a competitive match against Spain since
the 1994 World Cup and were humiliated 4-0 by their old rivals in the
Euro 2012 final in Kiev, were the better side, especially in the first
half, on a damp evening.
Giorgio Chiellini (1st L) of Italy scores the opening goal against Spain.
Italy, who were better
organised and more aggressive before the break, had wasted several
chances when defender Chiellini put them ahead after 33 minutes,
following up to tap in after goalkeeper David De Gea failed to block
Eder's free kick.
The Italians suffered in the second half and had been resisting
sustained Spanish pressure when striker Pelle connected with a Matteo
Darmian cross to volley home from close range, doubling their advantage
in added time.
Spain's defeat marked the end of an era for a side who had
established themselves as the dominant force in Europe by winning the
European Championship in 2008, after knocking out Italy in the
quarter-finals, and repeated the success in 2012.
The Spaniards, who struggled to impose their trademark, quick passing
game on a slippery pitch, had already suggested they were on the way
out when they lost their world crown with a shock group-stage exit from
the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
Italy, who had won one of their past 11 games against Spain and whose
ageing side had been written off by many in the build-up to the
tournament, face Germany on Saturday in Bordeaux in another battle of
the heavyweights for place in the semi-finals.
Chiellini's goal was the first conceded by Spain in the knockout
stages of a European championship or a World Cup since a 3-1 defeat by
France in the last 16 of the 2006 World Cup.
Graziano Pelle of Italy scores his team's second goal past David de Gea of Spain.
The first clear chance of
Monday's game at the Stade de France came to Italy after a few minutes
when Pelle's header from Alessandro Florenzi's free kick forced De Gea
to save.
The Spain keeper was made to work again soon after when he turned an overhead kick by Emanuele Giaccherini on to the post.
Spain, whose 15-match unbeaten run in European Championship finals
ended with a 2-1 defeat by Croatia in their final group game, did not
manage a shot on target until a harmless effort by Andres Iniesta
shortly before the half-hour.
Spain head coach Vicente del Bosque looks dejected after their defeat against Italy.
The holders showed more
initiative after the break and came close with a header by Alvaro Morata
directed straight at Italy keeper Gianluigi Buffon early in the second
half.
The Italians, however, remained dangerous and would have doubled
their lead earlier had Eder not lost out in a one-on-one with De Gea
after being set up by a Pelle flick on the hour.
Spain kept plugging away and missed another good opportunity 15
minutes from time when Iniesta struck a volley that Italy captain Buffon
did well to punch out.
The experienced keeper was decisive again in the closing stages,
diving to save an effort from Gerard Pique shortly before Pelle but the
outcome beyond doubt.
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