Italy qualify for the knockout stages following a 3-0 win against Switzerland

 

Italy became the first team to qualify for the knockout stage of Euro 2020 after midfielder Manuel Locatelli scored twice in a 3-0 win against Switzerland at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome.

The Host came into the game with a thumping 3-0 win against Turkey. The Italians have showed a real determination this season and look as clear favorites to win the competition.

They had a goal disallowed in the 18th minute for a handball by experienced defender Giorgio Chellini. The defender later picked up an injury and was substitute. 

Locatelli scored the host 29th goal without reply in 9 games prior to it in the first half before adding a second in the early stages of the second half. This dominant display was later capped off by a third goal from Ciro Immobile in the dying minutes.

In the other fixture of Group A, Wales took a giant step towards qualification for the latter stage with a 2-0 win against Turkey despite having two fewer shots and possession.

The deadlock was broken just before halftime through Talismanic midfielder Aaron Ramsey. Captain Gareth Bale had a chance to double the lead from the penalty spot but placed his effort well over the bar following a hesitant run-up.

The penalty miss didn't prove to costly as Bale picked up a late assist. With just seconds to go on the clock, Wales worked a short corner which saw the Real Madrid man cut inside the box to square a ball to Connor Roberts to stab it in from close range.

Whereas in Group B, Finland came into the game against Russia following a major health scare of Denmark's Christian Eriksen. The game which was suspended after 43 minutes was resumed 2 hours later which saw them win 1-0.

Finland thought that they had taken an early lead after Joel Pohjanpalo had headed the ball in the 4th minute. The goal was later ruled out for Offside following an intervention from VAR.

The only goal of this game came in the injury time of first half as Russian captian Artem Dzyuba offloaded Aleksey Miranchuk who drove forward before cutting inside and curling a left footed strike in the top left corner.


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