The stage is set for the most anticipated match in Group B of Euro 2024 as Spain and reigning champions Italy lock horns in Gelsenkirchen on Thursday. Both teams opened their campaigns with victories, setting the scene for a blockbuster that could determine who wins the group.
Spain, buoyed by a convincing 3-0 win against Croatia, who finished in third place at the 2022 World Cup, are in a strong position to make the knockout rounds. Goals from Alvaro Morata, Fabian Ruiz, and Dani Carvajal before halftime essentially settled matters and sent a clear message to their tournament rivals about La Roja’s intent and capabilities.
La Roja will qualify for the knockout round. However, they will want to do so as group winners, and based on their performance against Croatia, they will enter Thursday’s encounter with confidence.
Morata will be key to Spain’s ambitions. The Atletico Madrid forward, captaining Spain for the first time at a major tournament, became the country’s second-highest goalscorer in major tournaments with his goal against Croatia, behind David Villa, who has 13 goals. In fact, only Cristiano Ronaldo and Michel Platini have scored more goals than Morata (7) in European Championship history.
La Roja also boasts another record-breaker in their ranks – Lamine Yamal, the youngest player to ever feature in a European Championship.
Italy: Solid Start Despite Early Hiccup
Meanwhile, Italy overcame an early scare and averted a potentially embarrassing upset against Albania to prevail 2-1 in their opener. Nedim Bajrami’s goal after just 23 seconds – the fastest goal ever scored at a European Championship threatened to produce the biggest shock of the tournament.
However, the Azzurri fought back before halftime to secure victory, with Luciano Spalletti’s team dominating the rest of the match, ending with 68% possession, 17 attempts at goal, and five shots on target.
Italy should probably have won by a wider margin, but they will need to avoid another slow start against Spain, who might not be as forgiving as the Albanians.
Betting Tip: Full-Time Draw
20/06 20:00 Spain – Italy Full-time Draw @ 3.15 (Betbonanza)
A victory for either Spain or Italy would put them in a commanding position to win Group B, significantly improving their chances of drawing a favourable team in the knockout phase.
However, a draw will likely suffice for both teams to advance, so neither side will be disappointed with sharing the points.
In a match between two powerhouses that prioritise midfield control, limited opportunities could lead to a low-scoring encounter.
Therefore, we recommend betting on a full-time draw at 3.15 odds on Betbonanza.
Spain vs Italy Full-time Draw @ 3.15
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