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THE matadors are back, just with a new cast list. Swirling their capes, bringing colour and adventure and the “oles” of the crowd - and then going for the kill. If there was any doubt over Spain ’s claims to be potential Euro 2024 winners, they were surely ended as Luis de la Fuente’s men served up the holders on a plate.

A decade ago it was Xavi and Andres Iniesta who had the world at their feet, leaving football swooning. Now it is different faces, a more direct style, but still with that sense of complete belief, poise and purpose. Twin wing wonders Nico Williams and Lamine Yamal led Italy a merry dance all night, Rodri set the tempo.



And with quality in every area of the park, this was a statement performance, if not a statement margin of victory. It may have needed an unfortunate own goal from Riccardo Calafiori to finally find a way past an inspired Gianluigi Donnarumma . But Italy were chasing shadows from the outset, beaten hollow and unable to get close to the men in red as Spain laid down a real marker in their bid to win the European title for an unprecedented fourth time.

Spain had looked good in their opener against Croatia. EURO 2024 FREE BETS AND OFFERS Tonight, from the very beginning, they were even better. Williams had full-back Giovanni di Lorenzo on toast and Pedri , unmarked 12 yards out, should have scored with a second minute header from his perfect cut-back, although Donnarumma deserved credit for the fingertip save.

There was a swagger about S.

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