Italy handed cruel knockout date with Spain as bracket takes shape

Italy may live to regret finishing top of Group E, as Tuesday's results mean the Azzurri will lock horns with Group D runner-up and twice defending Euro champ Spain in Saint-Denis on June 27.

By besting Belgium for group honours, Antonio Conte and co. will lock horns with the only team to win two continental trophies on the trot.

To the victor goes the most unenviable fixture of the last-16, and Azzurri supporters can thank Croatian winger Ivan Perisic, whose late goal handed the Balkans the top spot in the group and a knockout stage tilt with a third-place side from group B, E or F.

Slovakia is the only team from any of those three groups to book a knockout berth.

A clash between Italy and Spain is a rematch of the Euro final from four years ago, where Vicente del Bosque's lot absolutely bludgeoned the Italians 4-0 courtesy of goals from David Silva, Jordi Alba, Fernando Torres and Juan Mata.