Spain vs. Italy: post-match stats

The data published by UEFA confirmed Spain’s dominance in Gelsenkirchen. In terms of total attempts, the Spanish had 20 compared to Italy’s four (9-1 in the first half). La Roja, who ended up having 57% of the ball after finishing the first half with 61% possession, attempted (608 vs. 458) and successfully played (552 vs. 391) more passes and thus had a better pass completion rate (91% vs. 85%). On an individual level, Rodri (95), who picked out Fabian Ruiz the most (26 times), completed the most passes. Alessandro Bastoni was Italy’s best player in this regard (56, 17 of which were for Di Lorenzo), further proof of the different areas the teams were playing in.

AGAINST SPAIN. Following yesterday’s result, Spain now have three more wins (14) than Italy (eleven) in the all-time head-to-head record between the sides (16 draws complete the picture). You have to go back eight years for Italy’s last victory over Spain in either regulation or extra time: the 2-0 win in Saint-Denis at EURO 2016 (27 June). The Azzurri have now suffered three consecutive defeats to Spain after losing in the 2021 and 2023 Nations League semi-finals (in Milan and Enschede).

FIRST DEFEAT IN EIGHT YEARS. Yesterday evening, and excluding penalty shootouts, the Azzurri lost at the Euros for the first time in eight years following seven wins and three draws in ten matches across EURO 2016, EURO 2020 and EURO 2024. Until last night, they had scored in every European Championship game since their previous defeat, which came against the Republic of Ireland in Lille on 22 June (another 1-0 loss).

SPALLETTI. Eight months and three days on from their 3-1 loss against England at Wembley (17 October 2023), Italy suffered their second defeat in twelve matches since the start of the Spalletti era. For the third time under the current Head Coach, the Azzurri were unable to find the net after previously failing to score against Ukraine in Euro qualifying and in their pre-tournament friendly against Türkiye (both 0-0 draws). So far, Spalletti’s record reads as follows: seven wins, three draws and two defeats; 20 goals (an average of 1.66 per match) scored and ten conceded (0.83 per match). Compared to previous Italy head coaches after twelve matches, Spalletti ranks fourth, behind Gian Piero Ventura, Arrigo Sacchi (26 points when points are also considered for friendlies) and Antonio Conte (25). In terms of overall points average (24 points from twelve matches for an average of 2.00 per game), Spalletti sits tenth if we apply the three-points-per-win rule to every previous head coach: Herrera (2.50), Valcareggi (2.50), Bernardini (2.18), Bearzot (2.18), Pozzo (2.16), Sacchi (2.13), Mancini (2.08), Fabbri (2.06) and Vicini (2.05) are all ahead of him.

PLAYERS. As regards individuals, Calafiori scored Italy’s first-ever own goal in a Euro finals match. Zaccardo also previously scored one during a final tournament, but in the World Cup (against the United States in 2006, which was also Italy’s second group match). Calafiori’s was the 22nd own goal in Azzurri history.

In the all-time Italy appearance ranking, Gianluigi Donnarumma has now played 64 Azzurri matches (the most in the current Euro squad) and drawn level with Ciccio Graziani. Jorginho sits alongside Roberto Baggio on 56, one more than Barella (55, the same as Marchisio, Verratti, Benetti and Camoranesi). The following players also all won another cap yesterday: Chiesa (49), Cristante (42, 25 of which have been substitute appearances - a record percentage of 59.5%), Di Lorenzo (37), Pellegrini (32), Raspadori (29), Bastoni (25), Dimarco (21), Scamacca (18), Frattesi (17) and Retegui (ten).