Italy has ended Spain’s European Championship reign, beating the two-time defending champions 2-0 in the round of 16.
Giorgio Chiellini poked the ball into the net from close range in the 33rd minute after Spain goalkeeper David De Gea first parried Eder’s free kick, then blocked Emanuele Giaccherini’s follow up from the rebound.
Graziano Pelle added the second in injury time.
De Gea made four quality saves to keep his team in the game at Stade de France. In the first half, he denied Pelle and Giaccherini with diving saves to his left. De Gea blocked Eder’s shot from a one-on-one chance in the 55th.
Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon preserved the lead in the 89th with a diving save low to his right to push away Gerard Pique’s shot.
Italy will next play Germany in the quarterfinals on Saturday in Bordeaux.
Giorgio Chiellini scored from close range in the 33rd minute to give Italy a 1-0 halftime lead over Spain.
Chiellini scored after Spain goalkeeper David De Gea parried Eder’s free kick. Emanuele Giaccherini directed the rebound first across the goalmouth and Chiellini poked the ball into the net.
De Gea made two good saves early in the game as Spain made a slow start in heavy rain at the Stade de France.
First, he dived low to push Graziano Pelle’s eighth-minute header to safety. When Giaccherini tried an overhead bicycle kick in the 11th, De Gea again dived to his left to push the ball against a post.
Spain settled into the game when the sun came out midway through the half but struggled to create chances.
The winner will play Germany in the quarterfinals on Saturday in Bordeaux.
AP
