Good afternoon and welcome to LIVE coverage as Spain begin their bid to defend the European Championship title against Italy in Gdansk. This is the first match from Group C of the tournament with Croatia and Republic of Ireland doing battle later on this evening. But first up is this mouthwatering prospect between two of world football's true heavyweight nations.

Euro 2024 / Group Stage

Polsat Plus Arena Gdansk / 10.06.2012

Spain

Completed

Italy

C. Fàbregas(64')

A. Di Natale(60')

Live

Live Updates

ByDesmond Kane

Updated 10/06/2012 at 17:50 GMT

All
Highlights

90+3'

There goes the final whistle! A 1-1 draw. An excellent second half. Probably about the right result from the day.

90+2'

We are into three minutes of time added on...Alonso just wide of goal there from distance.

90'

Alonso drives a free-kick from 35 yards out well over the bar. Story of the day.

89'

Motta departs for Italy to be replaced by Antonio Nocerino of Milan.

88'

Maggio becomes the seventh booking of the game for a late challenge on Iniesta.

87'

Motta plays in Marchisio. Chance to win it for Italy, but his shot is straight at Casillas.

86'

Alonso on the run for Spain, but taken out of the match late by Maggio. Into the last three minutes now.

85'

Another chance for Torres. Just Buffon to beat, but chips the ball over the keeper and over the bar from the edge of the bar. Real frustration for the Chelsea striker.

84'

And Torres joins him in the book for catching De Rossi with an elbow in the neck. That could have been a red card.

83'

Busquets booked for a piece of wrestling off the ball with Giovinco.

82'

Torres with a space to run in to, but seems to lack any sort of purpose. Gives the ball away and that is a chance gone.

81'

Alonso with a late, late lunge on Giovinco. No contact made, but the intent was there.

80'

Jordi Alba has also been booked for Spain. He follows three Italian players into the book.

79'

Xavi can only the hit top of the wall. Fine piece of Italian defending as the wall jumped together. Italy deserve a point from this match. No doubt about that.

78'

Chiellini booked for chopping down Iniesta 25 yards from goal. Now. This. Is. A. Chance.

77'

Navas tries to open his box of tricks, but just fails to keep the loose ball under control. Italy granted possession which they quickly lose.

76'

Chance for Di Natale from Giovinco's ball. Lovely little ball, but the Udinese forward just failed to direct the ball goalwards. Superb little move.

75'

Xavi picks out Busquets unmarked in the opposition box, but Busquets is wide with the header. Puts his head in his hands after that miss. Was a real chance to test Buffon.

74'

Brilliant defending by Buffon who actually tackles Torres as he raced clear. Knocks the ball out of play. Italy all over the place at the back.

73'

Off goes Fabregas to be replaced by Fernando Torres for Spain.

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