Defending champion Italy plays Spain on Thursday in one of the most anticipated games at Euro 2024. (Streaming | More Football News)
Spain leads Group B ahead of Italy on goal difference after both teams won their opening games. Croatia and Albania are the other teams in the group.
Kick-off is at 9 pm local (1900 GMT) in Gelsenkirchen. Here's what to know about the match:
Match facts
— Italy survived a scare against Albania when Nedim Bajrami scored after 23 seconds - the fastest goal in Euros history. A 2-1 come-from-behind win avoided embarrassment for Luciano Spalletti's team.
— There were no such concerns for Spain after a dominant 3-0 win against World Cup semi-finalist Croatia.
— Italy beat Spain on penalties in the semi-finals of the last Euros after a 1-1 draw through extra time at Wembley Stadium. The team, then coached by Roberto Mancini, also needed penalties to beat England in the final.
— Build up to the last game in Gelsenkirchen - Serbia vs. England - had been overshadowed by concerns about fan violence. Eight people were temporarily detained following a brawl between fans. There has been less focus on potential security issues ahead of this game.
Team news
— Spain defender Aymeric Laporte has resumed training with the squad following a muscular issue.
— Italian media has speculated about Spalletti making changes ahead of the Spain game and the potential for Gianluca Mancini and Bryan Cristante to be brought into his starting line-up.
By the numbers
— This is the fifth Euros in a row that Spain and Italy have met, with two wins each going into Thursday's match.
— With 46% of possession against Croatia, Spain failed to dominate the ball for the first time in 136 competitive games.
— Italy is going for a record-equalling third European Championship title. Spain and Germany have also won three titles. Italy could also become only the second team to win back-to-back Euros after Spain in 2008 and 2012
— At 16 years, 338 days, Spain's Lamine Yamal became the youngest player to appear at a European Championship in his team's 3-0 win over Croatia.
What they're saying
“Right now, Spain are better than us in terms of individual players. We will have to bring the Italian spirit into play; we will need to struggle together.” - Italy midfielder Davide Frattesi.
“I remember a friendly against Portugal before the last Euro and there was a part of the fanbase who weren't happy and whistled us.... Now we, the media and the fans all share a lot of pride and ambition in what we're doing. We're all rowing in the same direction.” - Spain goalkeeper Unai Simon.
