Giorgio Chiellini tucks rebound away to put Italy up 1-0 (Video)

Giorgio Chiellini came up with a huge rebound against Spain to put Italy up 1-0 in the first half of their 2016 Euros Round of 16 match

In a rematch from the Final of the 2012 Euros, Spain and Italy met to do battle in a titanic matchup between two of the historically great international sides in the Round of 16 of the 2016 Euros. Everyone knew there were going to be fireworks with these two sides squaring off, but the question was whether it would be the talent and chemistry of Spain or the supremely managed Italy side that would gain the advantage. Giorgio Chiellini made the case for Italy in the first half.

At the 33rd minute, Italy earned a free kick just outside of the top of the box. Eder elected to take the shot and had a go at David de Gea. The Spanish keeper made yet another brilliant save in the first half. However, the Spanish back line couldn’t get a clearance and the rebound ended up at the foot of Chiellini and the veteran defender had no problem poking it past the supine de Gea:

Chiellini’s goal is pretty indicative of what we’ve seen from this match in the Round of 16 in the first half. De Gea has been masterful in the net, but the defense of Spain has let him down and put him in precarious situations time and again. They’ll have to find some way to combat the managerial tactics of Antonio Conte or this is going to be a long afternoon for the defending champs at the Euros.

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