Vicente Del Bosque: Today was Italy's day

La Furia Roja hadn’t lost a competitive match to Italy since the 1994 World Cup quarter-final, but had only a couple of late chances parried by Gigi Buffon.

“We have to accept the result and look forward,” the Coach told Telecincoes and Sky Sport Italia.

“Italy are strong and very physical. They knew full well what they had to do and carried on their project with great force. We were too timid in the first half, but after the break we poured forward and tried everything to the very end.

“Any defeat like this hurts, naturally. Over the last eight years we’ve been so strong, today was Italy’s day. We tried aerial play, crowding them out, strategy… all with no luck.

“Over the next few days I will speak to the Federation, but I haven’t made any decisions yet.”

Spain star Andres Iniesta concedes “Italy were the most effective side in the decisive moments of the match.”

Giorgio Chiellini and Graziano Pellè secured the 2-0 victory in Saint-Denis, sending the Azzurri through to the Euro 2016 quarter-final against Germany.

“In the second half we dominated and did our part, but paid for the fact we were chasing the game,” the Barcelona midfielder told Telecincoes.

“We have to accept this disappointing result. Italy were the most effective side in the decisive moments of the match.”

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