Both sides named familiar line-ups after opening victories, the fit-again Aymeric Laporte coming into the centre of the defence in Spain's only change, while Italy stuck with the side that came back from conceding after 23 seconds to beat Albania. The Azzurri were nearly undone again early on, the trickery of Nico Williams down the left creating a headed chance for Pedri, whose effort was tipped over by the flying Gianluigi Donnarumma.

Williams himself passed up an even better chance in the tenth minute, flashing a header wide when in space in front of goal, and Spain continued to ask more questions. Donnarumma had to be alert to block Álvaro Morata's angled effort and promptly dived to his left to flick over a long-range drive from Fabián Ruiz, who subsequently had a shot blocked by Alessandro Bastoni.

A couple of characteristic forays down the left from Federico Dimarco aside, Italy had struggled to find a route to the Spain penalty area, and Luciano Spalletti responded by bringing on Bryan Cristante and Andrea Cambiaso at the break. That failed to stem the flow of traffic towards the Italy goal, and again Pedri might have broken the deadlock, firing a gilt-edged chance wide from Marc Cucurella's cross.

Finally the breakthrough arrived, although from an unexpected source. It was no surprise that the move originated down the Spain left with Williams, however, his cross flicked on by Morata; Donnarumma could only get fingertips to the header and the ball rebounded in off Calafiori.

The goalkeeper tipped over another Morata effort as Spain sought to press their advantage, Cambiaso clearing off his own line moments later. Lamine Yamal then curled just wide, and although a Cristante cross into the Spain goalmouth reminded them of Italy's threat, La Roja responded in kind, the lively Williams cutting inside from the left and thumping a shot against the crossbar from the corner of the area.

With time running out, Italy tried to work up a head of steam, but Cristante's flick – comfortably gathered by Unai Simón – was as close as they came to stopping Spain from securing their place in the round of 16. Indeed, the three-time champions might have increased their margin of victory in the final stages, Donnarumma denying substitute Ayoze Pérez twice in added time.