AFP, Germany :
Livewire winger Nico Williams was irresistible in Spain’s 1-0 win over Italy at Euro 2024, the pick of a selection of exciting young stars who are raising hopes of a return to the glory days for La Roja.
The 21-year-old Athletic Bilbao left-winger ran Italy right-back Giovanni Di Lorenzo ragged in Gelsenkirchen as Spain made it two wins from two at the tournament to clinch top spot in Group B and a last-16 berth.
The only wonder was how Spain did not win by a wider margin in a performance which earned them a measure of revenge for what happened when the sides met at Euro 2020.
It was a display which put the reigning champions firmly in their place and sent out a message to the rest of the continent to watch out for the nation that enjoyed so much success a decade ago.
The winners of Euro 2008 and Euro 2012 lost on penalties to Italy in the semi-finals at Wembley three years ago.
They completely dominated here, with the craft and skill of 21-year-old duo Williams and Pedri, and 16-year-old Lamine Yamal-the trio behind striker Alvaro Morata-proving too much for their opponents.
It took several important saves from Gianluigi Donnarumma to keep Italy in the game in the first half, including one from a Pedri header following a Williams cross inside 90 seconds.
Williams himself missed a glorious chance with a header soon after, but he spent most of his evening wreaking havoc on the left.
It was from there that he made the goal 10 minutes after the break, as he again got away from Di Lorenzo before sending in a cross that was bundled into his own net by Riccardo Calafiori.
All that was missing from his performance was a goal of his own, which he almost got 20 minutes from time when he cut inside and sent a shot crashing off the bar.