Spain faces Italy this Thursday in Gelsenkirchen during the second day of Euro 2024 played in Germany. Shock expected by fans, this meeting could also be a clue for the final victory in the tournament. Explanations.
Title holders Italy have not looked very radiant in recent months. After a slow start against Albania and a hard-fought victory (2-1), the Nazionale faces Spain this Thursday in Gelsenkirchen (9 p.m.). Opposite, La Roja had a successful debut in the tournament with a great success against Croatia (3-0). But the rest of this Euro 2024 could be disrupted after today’s poster.
Because it will be the fifth consecutive Euro to offer a Spain-Italy to the public (2008, 2012, 2016, 2021, 2024). And in the last four confrontations between the two teams, the winner (or qualifier) has lifted the trophy three times in quick succession.
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Spain’s golden generation won it all
Since 2004 and their mutual elimination from the groups, Spain and Italy have shown great things during the different editions of the Euro. In 2008, La Roja defeated the rival selection at the end of a suspenseful round of 16 and concluded on penalties (0-0, 4 tab to 2). A week later, the golden generation of Xavi, Iniesta and others Pujol and Sergio Ramos won the first of their two consecutive titles.
Four years later, during Euro 2012 played in Poland and Ukraine, the Nazionale was unable to do anything against an Iberian selection at the top of its game. Sparkling in the semi-final against Germany, Mario Balotelli was perfectly muzzled in the final and Spain inflicted a correction on the Transalpines (4-0) to offer themselves a double at the Euro.
Italy has reversed the trend
Four years later, during Euro 2016 in France, Italy and Spain faced each other in the round of 16. After a match where she did not show much against Italy (0-2), La Roja returned home in relative anonymity. Behind, the Nazionale seemed capable of continuing against a Germany against whom it acted as a bête noire in international competitions. But a shot on goal from Simone Zaza and a run-up that made history decided otherwise. End of the winning streak, therefore, for the winner of the confrontation between Spain and Italy.
Good news, everything is back to normal during Euro 2021. Faller of Switzerland, executioner of France from the eighth, the new Spanish guard reached the last four of the continental tournament. To better crash into the Italian rearguard at the gates of the final. Here again, the affair was resolved on penalties after a close duel (1-1, 4 tab to 2). In front of an imperial Gigio Donnarumma, the Chiellini-Bonucci hinge made his experience speak. Five days later, Italy triumphed at Wembley against England. This is why you shouldn’t miss the clash planned for this Thursday in Gelsenkirchen…the future winner of the Euro could play there.
