The first of the six Euro 2020 groups has wrapped up, with leaders Italy facing Wales in Rome, and Switzerland taking on Turkey in Baku.
Italy vs Wales
Coach Roberto Mancini has been saying for weeks that all 26 members of his Italy squad are starters — and after the way they beat Wales 1-0 despite making eight changes to his starting line-up at the European Championship, it's hard to argue with him.
A victory for Mancini's second-stringers on Sunday extended Italy's unbeaten streak to 30 matches — matching a national record — after Matteo Pessina's goal late in the first half.
Pessina's redirection of a free kick from Marco Verratti across Danny Ward into the Welsh net proved enough to seal victory.
Wales defender Ethan Ampadu was sent off with a questionable straight red card at the Stadio Olimpico for stepping on Federico Bernardeschi 10 minutes into the second half.
Italy, who won the opening two matches 3-0, finished Group A with a perfect nine points, while Wales will also progress, having finished second on four points.
Chasing only their second European title, Italy will play the second-placed team from Group C at Wembley next Saturday, while Wales will play the second-placed team from Group B in Amsterdam.
The Azzurri, who have now won 11 straight games without conceding, won 30 straight under coaching great Vittorio Pozzo from 1935-39 with a team that had just won a second consecutive World Cup.
It's been a remarkable turnaround for this Italy squad, which failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup.
Switzerland vs Turkey
Xherdan Shaqiri scored two goals to give Switzerland a 3-1 victory over Turkey in their final Group A game.
The victory might be enough to give the team a spot in the round of 16 as one of the four best third-place teams.
Winger Steven Zuber assisted on all three of Switzerland’s goals. Haris Seferovic opened the scoring in the sixth minute.
Irfan Can Kahveci scored Turkey’s goal in the 62nd minute — it was the team’s first goal of the tournament.
Turkey lost all three of its group matches and has been eliminated.
AP / ABC
