Italy had to wait four years for payback, but its Euro demons have been exorcised following a 2-0 victory vs. defending champion Spain on Monday.
Spain defeated Italy at Euro 2008, as well as 4-0 in the 2012 final, but this time Spain had no answer to Antonio Conte's men, who recorded a deserved victory.
Defender Giorgio Chiellini tapped in Italy's opener in the first half and only an impressive goalkeeping performance from David de Gea kept Vicente del Bosque's men in with a chance.
Alvaro Morata headed straight at Gianluigi Buffon as Spain looked to keep alive its hopes of a record third consecutive title, but wave after wave of Spain attacks crashed against the rock-solid Italian defense.
Buffon made a wondrous save to deny Gerard Pique in the last minute of normal time and Graziano Pelle struck the final blow in stoppage time as Italy's slick counter-attack claimed another victim.
After beating Spain at a major competition for the first time since 1994, the prize for the Azzurri is a quarterfinal matchup Saturday in Bordeaux against world champion Germany, which they beat en route to the final four years ago.
Italy was totally dominant in the first half, with De Gea getting down sharply early on to push away Pelle's accurate header from 8 yards.
A few moments later, De Gea superbly tipped an Emanuele Giaccherini overhead kick onto the post having not realized the playmaker had been penalized for a foul as he attempted to shoot.
Sergio Ramos had a penalty claim denied after tangling with Chiellini, but Italy continued to look the more likely and Marco Parolo headed just wide.
Italy got the breakthrough in the 33rd minute after Ramos had fouled Pelle just outside the area. Eder's free-kick was parried by De Gea and then kept alive by Giaccherini, allowing Chiellini to prod home from close range.
Just before halftime, Giaccherini cut inside from the left and shot toward the top corner to force a magnificent fingertip save from De Gea that kept Spain in the match.
Del Bosque brought on Aritz Aduriz for Nolito at the break, although it was Morata who spurned a glorious chance to equalize — heading straight at Buffon from 6 yards after Cesc Fabregas' delivery.
Italy lost Daniele De Rossi to injury, but it should have killed the game off when Pelle's flick sent Eder racing through on goal, only for De Gea to stand tall and deny the Inter striker.
Spain got better as the match progressed, with David Silva curling wide and Ramos off-target with a header as Italy began to sit back, while Buffon began to have an influence, keeping out Andres Iniesta and Pique from outside the penalty area.
Thiago Motta received a booking that will keep him out of the Germany game for slapping Sergio Busquets in the face, before Buffon made his most vital save — brilliantly keeping out another Pique effort from close range.
Italy sealed a famous triumph on the break when a cross from substitute Matteo Darmian deflected into the path of Pelle, who volleyed home to send Conte and the Azzurri faithful wild.
Key Opta stats:
- Italy ended a run of five international meetings against Spain without a win (L2 D3) and defeated Spain for the first time since August 2011.
- Spain has lost four of its last seven games (W3 D0 L4) at major international finals tournaments — this after going the previous 12 unbeaten (W10 D2 L0).
- Spain lost a European Championship finals match by a margin of 2+ goals for the first time since 1988 (0-2 v West Germany).
- Three of Italy’s five goals at Euro 2016 have come in the 88th minute or later, including both of Graziano Pelle’s.
- Giorgio Chiellini’s goal was the first Spain conceded in the knockout stages of a major international tournament since 2006 (v France) – 10 years ago.
- Chiellini has scored three goals for Italy under Antonio Conte — only Graziano Pelle (7) and Antonio Candreva (4) have more.
