Italy vs. Spain: Score and Twitter Reaction from Euro 2016

Italy beat Spain on Monday to set up a quarter-final showdown with world champions Germany at UEFA Euro 2016, triumphing 2-0 at the Stade de France in Paris.

Giorgio Chiellini netted in the first half before Graziano Pelle sealed the win late on, and if not for a largely excellent outing from David De Gea, the Azzurri could have won even more decisively.

Italy produced an exceptional performance as they pressed and contained Spain throughout, as well as threatened repeatedly at the other end.

The first significant chance fell to Italy in the eighth minute as they enjoyed a bright start. Pelle connected with Alessandro Florenzi's cross from a free-kick, but De Gea got down well to tip the header wide.

Minutes later, the Spaniard was called upon once again when Emanuele Giaccherini sent a bicycle kick on goal, but De Gea was able to save the effort onto the post, per Squawka Football:

Sports journalist Jonas Giaever and beIN Sport's Matteo Bonetti hailed the Azzurri's strong start as Spain struggled to cause them problems at the other end:

La Roja's most threatening attack in the opening exchanges came through a neat move between Nolito and David Silva on the left, the former finding Cesc Fabregas on the edge of the area, but Mattia De Sciglio closed the Chelsea man's shot down well.

Italy went ahead in the 33rd minute. De Gea could only palm a vicious free-kick from Eder back in front of goal, and Chiellini tapped home Giaccherini's follow-up.

FRANCISCO LEONG/Getty Images

As football writers Miguel Delaney and Mina Rzouki noted, the Azzurri were in total control:

Giaccherini almost doubled their tally on the stroke of half-time, cutting in from the left and forcing another save from De Gea.

Alvaro Morata nearly levelled things early in the second half, but he could only direct his header at Gianluigi Buffon.

Martin Meissner/Associated Press

At the other end, De Gea was once again Spain's saviour when he made a marvellous save to deny Eder after he'd been sent clean through by Pelle. Giaever and football journalist Rafael Hernandez noted the way he'd redeemed himself after being at fault for Chiellini's goal:

"

Even if he was partly at fault on the 1-0, De Gea is keeping Spain alive on this match.

— Rafael Hernández (@RafaelH117) June 27, 2016"

Italy continued to push in search of a second and almost did so when De Sciglio sent a teasing ball into the area and past De Gea.

As time wore on, Spain began to dominate possession more and more, with Aritz Aduriz and Sergio Ramos sending efforts wide, while Andres Iniesta's and Gerard Pique's shots were on target but hit straight at Buffon.

With one minute of normal time remaining, a ball over the top fell to Pique on the volley, but Buffon showed his own ability to deny him from close range.

The miss proved costly, as Italy promptly raced to the other end and scored. Matteo Darmian's cross deflected kindly for Pelle, who made no mistake as he lashed home a volley to win the game.

Matthias Hangst/Getty Images

Despite being written off for their lack of star power prior to the tournament, the Azzurri's credentials were once again evident, and they have an excellent chance of squeezing past Germany in the next round. 

As for Spain, their period of domination on the international stage has firmly come to an end—they'll need to regroup and rebuild ahead of the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

Post-Match Reaction

Per Italy's Twitter feed, manager Antonio Conte reflected on the memorable win:

"

I made a good prediction in saying we wouldn't be sacrificial lambs. We had to be extraordinary and the boys had it in them. We got the result by playing football. Those who know me know that's my way. I'm looking for the balance and defending counts too. We achieved a great feat and it will be a titanic effort on Saturday. We're against the strongest side around.

"

He added:

According to BBC Sport's Paul Fletcher, Spain boss Vicente del Bosque conceded his side were second best: "They were probably better. They don't play great football but they are strong in the air, very physical and they were dangerous. We came out in the second half with a chance and the players tried to do the best they could. We tried everything but we couldn't score."