Italy hit 44-year low point in loss to Spain at Euro 2024

The more worrying sign for Italy was its inability to muster up any semblance of offense. Its first shot attempt didn't come until the first-half stoppage time and none of the other three shots had Unai Simon trembling in his boots. 

Italy's paltry four attempts (only one at goal) marked the lowest mark for the country at any World Cup or Euro event since tracking data became available in 1980.

Furthermore, if not for Federico Chiesa's way-off-target strike late in the first, Italy would have gone into halftime without a shot attempt at a major event for the first time since 2000 against Holland. 

The final match statistics perfectly summed up the lopsided affair: 

Italy's sluggish start at Euro 2024 shouldn't come as a huge surprise. Luciano Spalletti's team was hailed as the weakest defending champion since Greece in 2008, especially after it failed to qualify for a second consecutive FIFA World Cup in 2022. 

That said, Italy is still in a favorable position to advance to the knockout stages after its 2-1 win over Albania in the opener. The Azzurri just need to avoid a loss to Croatia on Monday to advance.