If having to play a Mediterranean derby at the European Championships has marked Spain's destiny this century, Thursday's display in Gelsenkirchen could be seen as a prelude to something special to come.

Spain produced a superb display of passing football against the reigning European champions and four-time World Cup winners, a dominant display in which they created 20 chances and only allowed the Italians the one opportunity.

Luis de la Fuente opted to start with almost the same eleven that beat Croatia five days ago, with the only change being Laporte for Nacho in the centre of defence.

Keen to get the match underway, the national team came out eager to take the game to the opponent and with a determination to dominate: their attacking play almost put Spain ahead within two minutes when Nico Williams crossed from the left and Pedri's header was saved on the line by goalkeeper Donarumma, by far the Azzurri's best player on the night. 

The Spanish internationals were playing with a high press and aiming to win the ball back quickly after losing possession, with the Rodrigo-Fabian duo imperious in midfield and the wingers generating danger with every attack.

The chances came and went with increasing frequency, with Nico narrowly heading wide from Morata's cross and the Madrid born player and Fabián coming up against the inspired hands of the Italian goalkeeper.

The national team next play on Monday against Albania and on Sunday 30 June they will play their Last 16 match in Cologne against an opponent yet to be determined.

After being almost permanently on the front foot, the two teams went into the break, and after the restart the pattern of the game stayed the same, with Pedri coming close to the scoring after some wonderful service from Marc Cucurella.

That chance was a taster of what was to come. The goal finally came after Spain had been banging on the Italian door so hard that in the end they forced an error out of the defence. Azzurri defender Riccardo Calafiori finally broke the deadlock with his clearance flying unintentionally into his own net after a driven cross from Nico Williams and Morata's flick on.

The goal gave the national team more composure and they came close to extending their lead with a curling shot from Lamine Yamal and shortly afterwards with a wonderful thundering shot against the crossbar from Nico Williams, who won the man of the match award.

The score was tight going into the final period, however, and it was Italy's footballing pride that was to prove a problem for Unai Simón's goal, despite it being well guarded by the Spanish defence. Up the other end, Ayoze had two late chances but came up against Donnarumma twice more in added time.

In the end, the victory was close in terms of the scoreline, but dazzling in terms of play and it launched the national team into the Last 16 on Sunday 30 June in Cologne against a third-placed team from another group. 

Before that, Albania await on Monday in Düsseldorf with the pressure off. As such Spain will want to put on a show as an added treat for the thousands of Spanish fans who will be cheering from the stands as the internationals do their best on the pitch. 

The beautiful image of togetherness with which Spain is enchanting all and sundry now leaves us ready to spread out wings and fly to the top of this memorable European Championships.