Efficient Italy boot Spain out of Euros

European champions Spain were outclassed, outperformed and booted out of Euro 2016 by a tactically efficient Italian side at the one sixteenth stage of the competition.

Graziano Pelle nailed the Spanish coffin deep into regulation time after a Georgio Chiellini goal in the 33rd minute to bury a crestfallen golden generation of a Spanish side that had won everything at international level.

The Spanish side led Ramos were a pale shadow of the side that won the tournament four years ago, lacking depth and dexterity upfront. And the few attempts at goal were thwarted by an industrious Buffon who gets even more excellent with age.

Perhaps it was more a case of a ruthlessly efficient Italian side than one of a tardy Spanish team because Antonio Conte's side dominated play for most part.

As early as the 8th minute, Conte's men were on fire, running down a weak tired Spanish limbs in defence but were unlucky to open an early account.

Story by Ghana|Myjoyonline.com|Nathan Gadugah