Euro 2020 Group B: Italy 1-0 Wales
Italy have managed to finish the group stages as the first nation to win all three of their games. The Italians were the first team to qualify for the knockout stages of Euro 2020.
The Azzurri have extended their unbeaten streak to 30 and have not conceded a goal in 11 consecutive games now.
Wales demonstrated great resolve in defeat as they clung onto just a 1-0 defeat. Ethan Ampadu was sent off in the 55th minute, which meant that Wales had to dig deep to secure their place in the knockout stages.
They did just that as their automatic qualification spot was under threat when Switzerland beat Turkey 3-1 in Group A’s other fixture. However, Wales did enough to withstand the relentless Italian pressure to edge out the Swiss on goal difference.
Italy had already qualified for the last 16 so made an incredible eight changes to their team. They were still utterly dominant and Matteo Pessina’s 39th-minute goal gave them a 1-0 half-time lead. They probably deserved more goals but were unfortunate to not find the finishing touches.
Wales did it the hard way
Wales were forced to play the final half an hour with 10 men after Ampadu saw red for a dangerous lunge on Federico Bernardeschi.
This was Italy’s 30th consecutive match without defeat, equalling their national record. Wales, on the other hand, had to dig deep to ensure the margin of victory was not bigger.
Robert Page and his Welsh side can now look forward to a second-round match against Group B’s runners-up in Amsterdam next Saturday.
As for Italy, an 11th consecutive win will see them face off against Group C’s runners-up at Wembley in Euro 2020.
