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A much-changed Italy beat 10-man Wales 1-0 in Rome to cap off a perfect group-stage campaign at Euro 2020.
Matteo Pessina struck from a Marco Verratti free-kick to secure all three points for the Azzurri, who will now face the runner-up of Group C in the Round of 16. Having already qualified for the knockout stage, Italy coach Roberto Mancini named a much-changed line-up, making as many as eight changes.
Nevertheless, the hosts were in complete control, retaining 70% of the possession and making 23 shots. Pessina's 39th-minute strike gave Italy a narrow advantage heading into the break. Although the Azzurri didn't add to their tally, they defended valiantly. Gareth Bale, however, squandered a good chance to equalise for Wales by blazing wastefully over from inside the box.
Despite the defeat, Wales pipped Switzerland, who beat Turkey 3-1, to finish second. Last edition's semi-finalists will now face the runners-up of Group B in Amsterdam.
On that note, let's have a look at the player ratings for both Italy and Wales:
Italy Player Ratings
Gianluigi Donnarumma - 7/10
It was a comfortable evening for Italy's goalkeeper, as Wales rarely threatened. Donnarruma had to make just one save in the match en route a third consecutive clean sheet.
Rafael Toloi - 7.5/10
Toloi made an excellent cameo for Italy, driving forward at will and laying crosses while also overlapping with Chiesa.
Leonardo Bonucci - 7/10
Italy's stand-in captain on the night lasted just 45 minutes but gave a good account of himself during that period, marshalling the backline with elan.
Alessandro Bastoni - 8/10
Bastoni was rock solid in defence and also helped build from the back, thanks to his expansive passing range. He also didn't hesitate to drive forward, making three key passes. His aerial dominance was incredible, as he won seven out of eight defensive duels.
Emerson - 7/10
A quiet figure in Italy's back four, Emerson didn't put a foot wrong and passed the ball around well.
Matteo Pessina - 8/10
The youngster won the game for Italy with his first-half strike but also made his presence felt in defence, making two clearances.
Jorginho - 7.5/10
The deepest lying midfielder for Italy, Jorginho dictated his side's tempo with excellent passes, completing a staggering 50 of his 51 passes and creating two chances too.
Marco Verratti - 8/10
The veteran Italy midfielder was the heartbeat of his side against Wales. He dispatched his set-pieces with aplomb, one of them helping set up Pessina for the Azzurri's winner.
Federico Bernardeschi - 7/10
The winger gave Wales plenty of problems down the flank with his mazy runs. Bernardeschi drew a foul from Ampadu, which got the Welshman sent off.
Andrea Belotti - 7/10
He came close on a couple of occasions but lacked the cutting edge to bury his chances.
Federico Chiesa - 8/10
A livewire, Federico Chiesa ran rings around the Welsh defence with his energetic runs and had Neco Williams tied in knots all game.
Ratings of Italy Substitutes:
Francesco Acerbi - 7/10
The Lazio star replaced Bonucci at half-time and kept Italy's backline intact.
Giacomo Raspadori - 7/10
He created a wonderful chance for Belotti by slicing through the Welsh defence, but the striker couldn't make the most of it.
Bryan Cristante - 8/10
Cristante completed all 17 passes after replacing Jorginho and also drew a save from Ward in the dying embers of the game.
Gaetano Castrovilli - N/A
The Fiorentina youngster replaced Pessina in the closing stages and made three passes.
Salvatore Sirigu - N/A
Italy's second-choice goalkeeper came off the bench to see off the final few minutes of the game.
Wales Player Ratings against Italy:
Danny Ward - 8/10
Wales' Ward couldn't have done anything about Pessina's strike for Italy. But he made some crucial stops and saves in the match to prevent Italy from extending their lead.
Joe Rodon - 8.5/10
A revelation in the Welsh defence, Rodon threw his body on the line and defended with vigour. He made six clearances (a game-high) and won four aerial duels (the most by a Welsh player).
Ethan Ampadu - 6/10
Ampadu wasn't having a good match before he got sent off for stamping on Italy's Bernardeschi, which diminished his side's chances of mounting a comeback.
Chris Gunter - 7/10
It was a good defensive performance from Gunter, but he could've made a difference at the other end too. But the opportunity went begging as Gunter headed his effort over the bar.
Connor Roberts - 6/10
His forward runs didn't yield anything, while Roberts fared poorly in his defensive duties too.
Joe Morrell - 6/10
He has blown hot and cold in the Euros so far and was pretty much disappointing again. Morrell gave the ball away too cheaply and struggled to cope with Italy's pressure.
Joe Allen - 6/10
Italy did an excellent job in keeping Allen quiet, crowding out the space every time he was on the ball. The former Stoke City star went into the referee's books for a challenge on Belotti.
Neco Williams - 6/10
Chiesa gave him plenty of headaches, but Williams came through unscathed. However, in keeping the Juventus star under control, Williams' attacking game suffered.
Gareth Bale - 6/10
The Welsh captain barely got a sniff of the ball for 86 minutes. Off the only chance he received, Bale blazed his volley over the bar from close range. That was a nervy moment for Italy, though.
Aaron Ramsey - 7/10
Ramsey's runs from the deep helped him get the ball forward, and he played excellently as Wales' false nine against Italy.
Daniel James - 7.5/10
The most dangerous player for Wales against Italy, James asked questions of the Azzurri defence with energetic runs from the flanks. He also laid a few good crosses.
Ratings of Wales substitutes against Italy:
Keiffer Moore - 8/10
He's been a revelation for Wales at Euro 2020. He once again made a telling impact after coming on against Italy, winning some good free-kicks and giving his team a better shape.
Harry Wilson - 7/10
Although he didn't influence the proceedings much, Wilson made three crunch tackles against Italy.
Dylan Levitt - N/A
Levitt was a mere spectator for the match and struggled to get himself involved in any way.
David Brooks - N/A
He came on for Bale in the 85th minute but didn't make a single pass during the period he was on the pitch.
Ben Davies - N/A
Another non-impactful substitution, Ben Davies came on for Wales at the same time as Brooks but failed to touch the ball.
