Euro 2024: Yamal, Williams writing new chapter for Spain

GELSENKIRCHEN, Germany — By some means, a Riccardo Calafiori personal aim was the one distinction between Spain and Italy on a Thursday evening when La Roja’s thrilling wingers Nico Williams and Lamine Yamal as soon as once more confirmed they are going to be a power to be reckoned with at Euro 2024.

It was Williams’ second-half cross, flicked on by Álvaro Morata, which Calafiori was his personal web as Spain made it six factors from six and booked their place within the spherical of 16 with a recreation to spare.

For Italy, their destiny within the competitors will go right down to their final recreation in opposition to Croatia, however they’ll have few complaints in regards to the consequence on the Enviornment AufSchalke. It might — and will — have been extra. Spain ended the sport with 21 pictures to Italy’s three. After shedding possession in a aggressive recreation for the primary time in 136 matches in opposition to Croatia, they took the ball again right here, however with out shedding the brand new directness that’s more and more characterising this aspect below coach Luis de la Fuente.

They give the impression of being properly balanced, with Rodri anchoring the midfield, however it’s Williams and Yamal who’ve that means to deliver individuals to their toes. They’re the children who’ve sparked hope {that a} fourth European crown might arrive this summer season.

To wander round Gelsenkirchen earlier than the sport was to take a stroll down reminiscence lane. Names of heroes from the previous crammed the again of the shirts of the followers of those two storied soccer nations. Spain supporters toasted Luis Enrique, Raúl González and Andres Iniesta. Roberto Baggio and Andrea Pirlo had been in style names among the many travelling Italy trustworthy.

Laced amongst them, although, had been the names of these attempting to put in writing a brand new chapter of their nation’s historical past in Germany. Yamal’s and Williams’ names had been omnipresent, particularly among the many youthful technology. They had been then omnipresent on the pitch.

If eyes had typically been on Yamal thus far, if solely due to his age — he turned the youngest participant to function within the Euros at 16 years and 338 days outdated in Spain’s opener — then this time it was Williams’ flip to step up. At 21, he’s hardly a veteran himself. Inside two minutes, the Athletic Membership ahead had turned Giovanni Di Lorenzo to arrange Pedri, whose header was saved by Gianluigi Donnarumma.

The sample was set. One other good solo run adopted, Di Lorenzo trying dizzy, and Williams then headed a Morata cross large when he might have performed higher.

To not be outdone, Yamal then dribbled in from the left, beating three Italian defenders earlier than feeding Morata. Once more, solely the 6-foot-6 body of Donnarumma stored the sport goalless. By the break, Williams had accomplished 4 take-ons whereas Yamal had three. The opposite 20 gamers on the pitch had accomplished three between them.

Spanish soccer is in good fingers 🇪🇸✨ pic.twitter.com/POofR9Qxb1

— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) June 20, 2024

Talking after the match, Williams mentioned, “I believe it is my most full efficiency with Spain, and I hope to kick on and be capable of assist the crew as a lot as attainable. I’ve at all times dreamed of being concerned at this stage, taking part in within the Euros and profitable Participant of the Match.”

The King of Spain, Felipe VI, had flown out to Gelsenkirchen for the sport — and he was suitably impressed.

“It is nice to look at them play, we’re simply lacking a aim,” he informed reporters at half-time. “However the sensations are good and the possibilities we’ve created … It has been an amazing first half.”

Spain’s dominance pressured Italy coach Luciano Spalletti right into a double substitution earlier than the second half, but it surely did nothing to vary Williams and Yamal’s impression. It was Williams’ cross, nudged on by Morata, which led to Calafiori’s personal aim.

As soon as forward, Spain did not ease up. Yamal, coming inside once more, whipped off a nice effort along with his left foot which shaved the submit. Williams then thumped the bar from the sting of the field. By now, “Nico” chants had been filling the stadium, Spain’s 12,000 supporters outnumbered however outsinging their Italian counterparts.

Spanish newspaper Marca had seen it coming. “Two Ferraris in opposition to Italy,” was the headline on their entrance web page on Thursday alongside an image of Williams and Yamal, a nod to the Italian supercar. They could not but be established on the high stage like Rodri, who’s extensively seen because the one world-class participant on this crew, nor have the expertise of Morata or the Golden Boy award of Pedri, however they’re more and more the poster boys of this Spain crew.

That’s as a result of they provide one thing completely different to previous Spain groups, who had been extra centered on contact and possession at instances. They’ve diversified the methods by which De la Fuente’s crew can win a recreation. Additionally they provide a glimpse right into a extra numerous Spain.

The story of Williams’ mother and father coming to the nation from Ghana is well-known. Yamal, in the meantime, is the son of a Moroccan and an Equatorial Guinean who was born in Catalonia and grew up within the poor neighbourhood of Rocafonda, exterior of Barcelona. His roots are stitched on his boots within the type of the nationwide flags of his mother and father’ homeland and the numbers 304 — the zip code for Rocafonda.

Williams entered the dressing room to reward from teammates and household. “My teammates applauded me within the dressing room, and I might wish to thank them for serving to me out with their means on the pitch. Once I grabbed my cellphone, the primary message I noticed was from my brother immediately, a voice message. He offers unconditional assist for me. That is for him, my mother and father and the Williams household,” he mentioned.

The brand new-look Spain had been an excessive amount of for Italy. If Italy doubled up on the wingers, there was area inside for Pedri and Fabián Ruiz. In the long run, they may not cease Spain, who should now be thought-about among the many favourites to win Euro 2024.

The day had truly began with good-humoured meals banter between the 2 units of followers. “Aperol Spritz is best than Sangria,” and “Pasta is best than Paella,” had been the handwritten sides held up by the followers of Italy, who stay holders of this competitors. Meals rivalries have been a theme of this match. One Spain fan responded by merely holding up his shirt which had “Lomo ibérico” (a cured, high-quality Spanish meat) scribbled on the again.

All that really mattered in Gelsenkirchen, although, was that Williams and Yamal had been higher Italy’s large males Federico Chiesa and Davide Frattesi.