Thank you for tuning into Sportskeeda's coverage of Italy's commanding win over 10-man Wales. Both teams have successfully qualified to the next round of the competition. The Euros is only going to heat up as we hit the business end of the group stages. Catch all the previews, live commentary and other extensive pieces of coverage on Sportskeeda.
Until then, stay safe.
Italy and Wales have confirmed their spots in the round-of-16, while Switzerland, tied on points with Wales in third place, will have to wait to learn their fate.
Speaking of the game, it was complete dominance from the Italians. Right from the get-go, they were at it with wonderfully threaded passes all across the pitch, innovative patterns of play and sheer quality on the ball. Matteo Pessina, one of the eight members of the squad to make his place in the starting XI, scored off a well-crafted free-kick from Verratti. There were notably enterprising performances from Andrea Belotti, Emerson and Federico Bernardeschi as well.
Wales improved their stocks in the second-half, but were hit back when Ethan Ampadu was given his marching orders for a dreadful but harsh challenge on Bernardeschi.
Italy continue to march on, with another sensational performance against Wales. The Azzurri have broken their record with 13 wins on the bounce. There is a real sense of swagger in this squad. Nine points, seven goals scored, zero conceded.
FULL TIME: Italy 1-0 Wales
93' Italy have been authoritative despite a different representation in terms of the scoreline. As for Wales, a second consecutive march to the last 16 in the European championships speaks volumes of the nation's footballing progress. Italy are just playing it out in these last few seconds.
92' Italy roll in a shot through Christante, which is more awkward than what it looks due to a deflection. Ward, as he has been so far, is there to parry it away wonderfully.
90' Italy keep coming back, switching it from right to left with consummate ease. Three minutes will be added on.
88' Italy are treating this like a friendly, as Donnarumma makes way for the experienced Sirigu! The crowd is absolutely enjoying this team spirit.
87' Italy continue to keep possession and win balls high up the pitch. Verratti''s snapshot from 20 odd yards is blocked, and a resulting swipe from Bellotti is saved by Ward.
86' Italy too, make a change. Goalscorer Pessina is replaced by Castrovilli.
84' Wales are set to make three substitutions.
Brooks, Levitt and Davies are on the field for Bale, Williams and Allen.
82' Wales react well to the corner, and despite the ricochets, they manage to clear their lines. Fair to say they have been brilliant despite falling to 10 men.
81' Italy probe again, working Wales down the right flank as Chiesa continues to overlap with late runs. His cross results in a corner.
Pessina's challenge on Wilson and Gunter's arguments results in yellow cards drawn for both of them.
76' HUGE CHANCE FOR BALE!
Bale, unmarked on the far post, finds himself in acres of space with the goal gaping. Trying to go for power, the Wales superstar skies his shot high and wide. Nine out of ten times, Bale would have caressed the ball into the back of the net.
Italy make a double change! They are ready to inject some young blood. Giacomo Raspadori is on for Bernardeschi while Bryan Christante is drafted in for Jorginho.
74' Daniel James, who barely had a sniff of goal, is off for Harry Wilson.
Italy are now enjoying plenty of authority inside the Wales box. Bernardeschi, Verratti, Jorginho and Chiesa are all linking up gorgeously for Mancini.
67' Emerson, from left back, is in the penalty box for Italy! Bernardeschi spots a late Jorginho run from deep. The Chelsea midfielder finds his club teammate in the box. Ramsey does, however, get in between to block Emerson's effort.
Although Italy have rued over a few missed chances this game, it has never really looked like their 1-0 lead is a slender one.
64' HUGE CHANCE FOR ITALY!
Chiesa is on the end of another breathtaking break from Italy. Neco Williams mistimes his challenge, and with all the space in the world, Chiesa pulls it back for Bellotti. The striker does the right thing by wrapping his foot around it, but is denied by a fine save by Ward.
63' A blistering counter-attack arises for Italy, with Jorginho starting it all following some neat work under pressure in their own box. Chiesa down the right crosses it towards Bellotti, only to be denied by an alert Wales defence.
62' In from James, but headed away comfortably by Pessina.
61' Free-kick in a great position. For the first time today, James gets a chance to carry the ball in behind. He is, however, brought down.
60' Positive change for Wales. After all, they are behind in this game. Joseff Morrell comes off for Kieffer Moore.
59' Bellotti, for the umpteenth time today, looks to get in behind and does bring the ball down beautifully. He is ruled offside for moving too early.
56' Ampadu loses out a 50-50 and stomps the ankle of Bernardeschi. That was a late challenge, but it falls under the yellow category. It appears as a harsh decision, more so after VAR checks and decides to retain the on-field referee's decision.
This is going to be a long half-hour for Wales now.
RED CARD! Straight red for Ethan Ampadu! Was that harsh on his part?
54' All of a sudden, another long pass falls to Bellotti, who times his run perfectly. However, he blazes his effort well above.
53' Chance for Wales! Ramsey runs in behind once again and Acerbi makes a mess of the long ball. The Welshman tries to take his time and square a pass but Italy clear.
52' ITALY HIT THE POST!
It's a huge let-off for Wales. Bernardeschi wisely uses the ball to curl a low effort past Ward, but is denied by the frame of goal. That could easily have been a worldie.
50' First yellow card of the game, to Joe Allen. Roberts gives the ball away and Bellotti, smartly runs across Allen to win a free-kick in a promising central position from about 35 yards from the goal.
46' Second-half underway, with Verratti now donning the armband.
A change ahead of the second-half for Italy. Francesco Acerbi replaces Leonardo Bonucci.
Belotti, Emerson and Chiesa all came close to finding the opener for a dominant Italy outfit, but it was a free-kick straight from the training ground that broke the deadlock for Italy.
Wales, meanwhile, have just not created enough. Rob Page has all to do in the second-half. His team require a moment of magic from someone if they are to breach the robust Italian defense.
Big second half coming up!
Just the ten shots from #ITA in the first half against #WAL. 😳
No goals conceded in this first-half implies that Italy have now gone 1,010 minutes without conceding a goal. In this same period, they have smashed 31 goals.
45' No time added on, and Italy lead 1-0 at the end of the first-half. HT: Italy 1-0 Wales
43' Joseff Morell tries to create an equaliser for Wales by chipping a ball through to Bale. The Real Madrid man fails to control it and Italy win a goalkick.
42' Verratti almost creates a second for Italy!
Italy suddenly switch gears, as Verratti this time picks out a wider position on the left. Another teasing delivery, waiting to be attacked, is just out of Pessina's reach.
39' Verratti, as clever as he always is, whips a low, teasing ball into a dangerous area. Pessina makes an early run and just guides it beyond Ward to give Italy the lead. Patience, persistence and quality from Italy results in an inevitable goal for Italy.
GOAL! ITALY LEAD 1-0!
37' Verratti, just outside the box on the right-hand side, wins a clever free-kick off a Joe Allen foul. This is a promising position for Italy.
36' In the blink of an eye, Italy turn their probing into a dangerous form of attack as Verratti launches a fine long ball to Bellotti. Ward catches hold of it, since it's a tad heavy.
33' Daniel James plays a good ball in from a deep set-piece to Joe Rodon, who only finds Donnarumma's gloves with his loopy header.
32' Italy are back in possession after a couple of clearances by Wales. Jorginho, with all the time in the world, picks out Chiesa from deep in midfield. He tries to take the ball away from Williams, but his first touch is too heavy and Wales win a goalkick.
Wales fail to defend crosses, and after Chiesa is played through the wings, a pinball inside the box falls to the Juventus youngster. He fails to hit the target and Italy only manage to win a corner.
29' CHIESA CAUSING ALL SORTS OF PROBLEMS! ALMOST 1-0 for Italy.
Meanwhile, Switzerland are making light work of Turkey. They go 2-0 up, with Xherdan Shaqiri curling in an absolute pearl of a goal with his right foot.
27' CHANCE FOR WALES! Gunter heads above goal!
The resulting corner is taken by Dan James, who whips a flat ball to Gunter. The centre-half wins the ball early and heads it high. This is the closest Wales have come to taking an unlikely lead.
26' Aaron Ramsey drifts in behind the Italian centre-halves, urges Gunter to play a long ball and draws a corner off Bonucci!
24' CHANCE FOR ITALY!
Bernardeschi wins the ball back high up the pitch for Italy, links up with Chiesa and then lays a through ball to Belotti, who drags it wide! That was a real chance from five yards - he should have tested Ward.
22' Ampadu plays it to Bale, who beats a couple of players and then flicks it beautifully to Allen. The latter cuts it back to Ramsey, who loses possession under pressure in the box.
Italy have been pressing relentlessly. We have barely seen any touches from the likes of Gareth Bale and Dan James.
19' Ampadu drops into midfield and tries to play a 40-yard pass into the left-back. The pass goes out of play, and receives a hostile reaction from the crowd.
17' Wales, for the first time this game, fabricate a short period of possession-based football. It will certainly calm their nerves down. Italy do steal the ball after about 10-12 passes, but Conor Roberts is back in position to snatch it back.
16' Wales are ready to sit back and challenge when Italy run into them. None of their players are lunging into tackles or shifting from their positional zones.
15' Due to Wales' narrow, deep and crammed defending, Emerson finds himself in space and lets one fly from distance. His shot is on target, but straight at Danny Ward.
13' After a patient passage of play, Chiesa is played down the right flank. The talented winger goes past Gunter with a fine drop of his shoulder and puts in a delightful cross into the box. Wales, through, win the first ball.
12' CHANCE FOR ITALY!
Gunter is caught napping, as Bastoni plays a nice lob to the far post from midfield. Belotti, who appeared just offside, gives it his all with an outstanding stretch but misses it.
10' Bernardeshi motors down the right-hand side, but wastes all his effort with an ill-timed through ball.
Wales have made a strong start so far this game, but much to the manager's anguish, Switzerland have scored against Turkey. As things stand,it looks difficult for Gareth Bale and co.
4' Joe Allen does what he does best - latches on to a long ball into the right flank. Donnarumma, however, is lively and subsequently grabs it.
2' Italy begin on the frontfoot, as Bernardeschi squares up a ball to Williams, only for the attack to be ruled offside.
The players are out and we're in for a cracker of a contest. Italy vs. Wales is underway soon!
Belgium are one of the favourites to win the Euros
After the marquee additions of Jim Beglin, Fabrizio Romano and Paul Merson, Sportskeeda teamed up with former Manchester United and England star David James. Here's his listicle on five teams who could go all the way this Euro 2020 - Euro 2020: Ranking the top 5 favorites to win the tournament
Who do you think has brought their versatility to the fore?
Italy substitutes: Gaetano Castrovilli, Lorenzo Insigne, Leonardo Spinazzola, Giovanni Di Lorenzo, Salvatore Sirigu, Ciro Immobile, Francesco Acerbi, Giacomo Raspadori, Alex Meret, Bryan Christante, Manuel Locatelli, Nicolo Barella
Wales substitutes: David Brooks, Harry Wilson, Ben Davies, Wayne Hennessey, Rhys Norrington-Davies, Adam Davies, Tyler Roberts, Tom Lockyer, Kieffer Moore, Chris Mepham, Dylan Levitt, Jonathan Williams
Wales confirmed XI (5-3-2): Ward; Roberts, Gunter, Rodon, Ampadu, Williams; Morrell, Allen, Ramsey; Bale, James
Italy confirmed XI (4-3-3): Donnarumma; Rafael Toloi, Bonucci, Bastoni, Emerson; Verratti, Jorginho, Pessina; Bernardeschi, Belotti, Chiesa
TEAM NEWS IS IN!
▪ Italy’s last defeat: September 2018 vs. Portugal (29 unbeaten)
▪ Italy’s last goal conceded: October 2020 vs. Netherlands (10 straight clean sheets) pic.twitter.com/xB9j8tEMKH
Meanwhile, read our expert columnist and renowned transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano's take on Barcelona's increased activity in the transfer window!
Italy and Wales are set to square off at the Stadio Olimpico Stadium in just under two hours from now.
The two teams commence the final matchday of the Euro 2020 Group stages. While Italy have arguably been the best team in the tournament so far, Wales' smashing win against Turkey adds much-required prominence to this fixture. The Welsh only need a point, but snatching it against a side that hasn't lost a game since September 2018 will prove to be a herculean task.
Can Roberto Mancini's side make it three wins on the bounce, or will Wales pass the litmus test under pressure?
Hello and welcome to Sportskeeda's live coverage of the much-awaited tussle between Italy and Wales! This is Akarshak Roy, your host for the evening, and I'll take you through every key moment of the Group A fixture.
The Euros is only going to heat up as we hit the business end of the group stages. Catch all the previews, live commentary and other extensive pieces of coverage on Sportskeeda.
Until then, stay safe.
Speaking of the game, it was complete dominance from the Italians. Right from the get-go, they were at it with wonderfully threaded passes all across the pitch, innovative patterns of play and sheer quality on the ball.
Matteo Pessina, one of the eight members of the squad to make his place in the starting XI, scored off a well-crafted free-kick from Verratti.
There were notably enterprising performances from Andrea Belotti, Emerson and Federico Bernardeschi as well.
Wales improved their stocks in the second-half, but were hit back when Ethan Ampadu was given his marching orders for a dreadful but harsh challenge on Bernardeschi.
Italy are just playing it out in these last few seconds.
The crowd is absolutely enjoying this team spirit.
Verratti''s snapshot from 20 odd yards is blocked, and a resulting swipe from Bellotti is saved by Ward.
Goalscorer Pessina is replaced by Castrovilli.
Brooks, Levitt and Davies are on the field for Bale, Williams and Allen.
Fair to say they have been brilliant despite falling to 10 men.
Bale, unmarked on the far post, finds himself in acres of space with the goal gaping. Trying to go for power, the Wales superstar skies his shot high and wide.
Nine out of ten times, Bale would have caressed the ball into the back of the net.
Bernardeschi spots a late Jorginho run from deep. The Chelsea midfielder finds his club teammate in the box. Ramsey does, however, get in between to block Emerson's effort.
Chiesa is on the end of another breathtaking break from Italy. Neco Williams mistimes his challenge, and with all the space in the world, Chiesa pulls it back for Bellotti.
The striker does the right thing by wrapping his foot around it, but is denied by a fine save by Ward.
Joseff Morrell comes off for Kieffer Moore.
He is ruled offside for moving too early.
That was a late challenge, but it falls under the yellow category. It appears as a harsh decision, more so after VAR checks and decides to retain the on-field referee's decision.
This is going to be a long half-hour for Wales now.
Ramsey runs in behind once again and Acerbi makes a mess of the long ball. The Welshman tries to take his time and square a pass but Italy clear.
It's a huge let-off for Wales. Bernardeschi wisely uses the ball to curl a low effort past Ward, but is denied by the frame of goal. That could easily have been a worldie.
Roberts gives the ball away and Bellotti, smartly runs across Allen to win a free-kick in a promising central position from about 35 yards from the goal.
Wales, meanwhile, have just not created enough. Rob Page has all to do in the second-half.
His team require a moment of magic from someone if they are to breach the robust Italian defense.
Big second half coming up!
No goals conceded in this first-half implies that Italy have now gone 1,010 minutes without conceding a goal. In this same period, they have smashed 31 goals.
HT: Italy 1-0 Wales
Italy suddenly switch gears, as Verratti this time picks out a wider position on the left. Another teasing delivery, waiting to be attacked, is just out of Pessina's reach.
Patience, persistence and quality from Italy results in an inevitable goal for Italy.
He tries to take the ball away from Williams, but his first touch is too heavy and Wales win a goalkick.
The resulting corner is taken by Dan James, who whips a flat ball to Gunter. The centre-half wins the ball early and heads it high. This is the closest Wales have come to taking an unlikely lead.
Bernardeschi wins the ball back high up the pitch for Italy, links up with Chiesa and then lays a through ball to Belotti, who drags it wide! That was a real chance from five yards - he should have tested Ward.
Wales, through, win the first ball.
Gunter is caught napping, as Bastoni plays a nice lob to the far post from midfield. Belotti, who appeared just offside, gives it his all with an outstanding stretch but misses it.
After the marquee additions of Jim Beglin, Fabrizio Romano and Paul Merson, Sportskeeda teamed up with former Manchester United and England star David James.
Here's his listicle on five teams who could go all the way this Euro 2020 -
Euro 2020: Ranking the top 5 favorites to win the tournament
Who do you think has brought their versatility to the fore?
Wales substitutes: David Brooks, Harry Wilson, Ben Davies, Wayne Hennessey, Rhys Norrington-Davies, Adam Davies, Tyler Roberts, Tom Lockyer, Kieffer Moore, Chris Mepham, Dylan Levitt, Jonathan Williams
Meanwhile, read our expert columnist and renowned transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano's take on Barcelona's increased activity in the transfer window!
The two teams commence the final matchday of the Euro 2020 Group stages. While Italy have arguably been the best team in the tournament so far, Wales' smashing win against Turkey adds much-required prominence to this fixture. The Welsh only need a point, but snatching it against a side that hasn't lost a game since September 2018 will prove to be a herculean task.
Can Roberto Mancini's side make it three wins on the bounce, or will Wales pass the litmus test under pressure?
Italy vs Wales prediction, preview, team news and more | UEFA Euro 2020