Spain v Italy LIVE: Score and reaction as Nico Williams skill forces own-goal winner in Euro 2024 clash

Just when you think Euro 2024 has given you a bit of everything, it gives you something new. Because Spain’s Group B clash with Italy, the tournament’s first meeting of football’s major nations, was certainly different from every game that came before it.

Just an hour earlier, a rematch of one of the 2021 semi-finals was completed – England drew with Denmark – and Thursday’s late game had the same status but greater prestige.

Other games in Germany this week have felt like big ‘occasions’, but this one felt like the first big game in a purely sporting time. It was like this was a semi-final.

“Spain could have been two or three up at half-time. Weren’t they relentless in the last tournament, will that continue in this one and cost them in the end?

“He should score more goals with some of the football he plays, which is outstanding.”

Spain won their second match at Euro 2024 by beating Italy 1-0, ensuring they will top Group B regardless of the final round of games.

La Roja were dominant throughout and actually wasted three or four great chances to open the scoring before Riccardo Calafiore turned a Nico Williams cross into his own net. It leaves second-placed Italy, Croatia and Albania both a point apiece ahead of the final round of games.

Here are the player ratings for both teams in the match:

90+4 minutes: The final whistle is coming!

Spain get over the line against Italy and qualify for the round of 16. Gianluigi Donnarumma had to come up with some last-ditch saves towards the end of the game, but Italy could not capitalize.

Spain’s goal was fortuitous but they deserved the win and now sit alone at the top of Group B.

90 minutes: Four minutes of additional game time. Will Spain close out this game or is there a way back for Italy?

Min. 86: Italy win a corner with most of their target men gathered at the back post. The delivery comes to the near-fielder and is flicked on, but Unai Simon plucks the ball out of the air and calms things down for Spain.

83 mins: This is good work from Spain. Ayoze Perez makes a weaving run down the left wing and keeps possession as long as he can.

When Italy win it back, Spain are ready to defend with a fluid and compact shape.

80 mins: Alvaro Morata and Nico Williams now come off for Spain. Both were instrumental in putting their team in the lead but will miss the last 10 minutes of this tight encounter.

In their place are Ayoze Perez and Mikel Oyarzabal.

76 mins: There will come a time when Spain start to consider keeping this lead and securing the points. Italy was the best, most proactive time in the last 10 minutes or so.

Donnarumma flicks over a pass and Williams pulls possession back. Spain decided to hold instead of overcommitting the men on the pitch.