The standout team during the group stages, Antonio Conte’s side were the better side throughout and Sunderland midfielder Giaccherini came within a whisker of opening the scoring as his overhead-kick deflected onto the post.
Azzurri finally found a way past David De Gea with 33 minutes played and Giaccherini was once again in the thick of it, but he was beaten to the ball by Giorgio Chiellini who bundled home after Eder’s free-kick was parried.
Southampton striker Graziano Pelle sealed victory in added time with a fine volley as Italy countered and exploited the gung-ho Spaniards.
Giaccherini covered 12.97km during the course of the game – more than any player over 90 minutes at Euro 2016.
Italy will face world champions Germany on Saturday in Bordeaux.
