Italy have reached the quarter-finals of Euro 2016 after defeating holders Spain 2-0 in Monday's last-16 clash at the Stade de France.

The Azzurri were quickest off the starting blocks as Mattia De Sciglio and Graziano Pelle weighed in with early half-chances after just two minutes played.

Vicente del Bosque's charges had David de Gea to thank for keeping them in the game with a host of world-class saves, with Pelle, Emanuele Giaccherini and Alessandro Florenzi all being thwarted by the Manchester United man.

Spain's resistance was broken in the 33rd minute, however, as Eder's free kick was palmed by De Gea into the path of Giorgio Chiellini, who duly slotted home.

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La Roja were more dangerous in the second half and had plenty of chances to draw level, with Alvaro Morata, Andres Iniesta and Gerard Pique all forcing saves from Gianluigi Buffon.

By the 90-minute mark it appeared as though the double European champions were finally going to breach the Italian resistance, which seemed to be suffering after midfield lynchpin Daniele De Rossi was subbed off through injury.

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However, a swift counter-attack triggered by Lorenzo Insigne allowed Matteo Darmian to play a low cross into the path of Pelle, who volleyed home to set off wild celebrations in the Italy camp.

Written by
Giuseppe Labellarte