Cesc Fabregas: 'Italy clash is 50-50'

Spain midfielder Cesc Fabregas has acknowledged that his side face a "tough" match when they take on Italy in the knockout stages of Euro 2016.

The showdown between the Euro 2012 finalists is the pick of the last-16 ties, and Fabregas says that he and his teammates are expecting a "50-50" clash against the Azzurri.

The 29-year-old is quoted by Gazzetta World as saying: "It's always tough against Italy. They are competitive and have a lot of experience. They have what it takes to win a tournament.

"It will be tough to beat them as matches against the Azzurri are always 50-50, aside from the final in 2012 [which Spain won 4-0].

"[That final was] the best 90 minutes we've put together. We enjoyed ourselves and that doesn't usually happen in a final."

Both teams head into the match having suffered defeats to Croatia and Republic of Ireland in their final group games.