Summary

  • FT: Italy 1-0 Wales in Rome - Pessina scores winner for Azzurri, who top Group A

  • Wales face Group B runners-up (Belgium, Russia, Finland or Denmark) in last 16 next Saturday in Amsterdam

  • Switzerland beat Turkey 3-1 in other Group A match; Wales finish second on GD (+1) from Swiss (-1)

  • Wales reduced to 10 men after Ampadu red card; Bale volleyed good chance to equalise over

  • Italy, who had already qualified after winning their first two games, now unbeaten in 30 games

  • Azzurri will face Group C runners-up - Netherlands, Ukraine, Austria or North Macedonia - in last 16

  1. Goosebumpspublished at 16:59 British Summer Time 20 June 2021

    Italy v Wales (17:00 BST)

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  2. Postpublished at 16:56 British Summer Time 20 June 2021

    Italy v Wales (17:00 BST)

    Italy players sing their anthemImage source, Getty Images

    Pound-for-pound Wales and Italy's national anthems both take some beating.

    As does the gusto with which they are sung.

    We have just enjoyed Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau.

  3. Postpublished at 16:55 British Summer Time 20 June 2021

    Italy v Wales (17:00 BST)

    The teams are emerging from the tunnel at the Stadio Olimpico.

  4. Castrovilli 'the wildcard for Italy'published at 16:55 British Summer Time 20 June 2021

    Italy v Wales (17:00 BST)

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  5. Limited number of Wales fans in Romepublished at 16:52 British Summer Time 20 June 2021

    Italy v Wales (17:00 BST)

    Wales fans in the Stadio OlimpicoImage source, Reuters

    As was the case for their opening two matches in Baku, Wales have only a few hundred fans in Rome due to pandemic-related travel restrictions.

    It is estimated around 400 of the Red Wall are at the reduced-capacity Stadio Olimpico today, while 9,000 tickets have been sold to Italian fans and another 5,000 have been sold to international supporters.

    Being outnumbered is nothing new for Wales’ fans. They made themselves heard even when they were up against 35,000 Turkish and Azerbaijani supporters in Baku for last Wednesday’s win over Turkey.

  6. Fan support from home 'amazing'published at 16:48 British Summer Time 20 June 2021

    Italy v Wales (17:00 BST)

    Media caption,

    Daniel James: Wales winger praises fans support from home

    Daniel James says the players are aware of the "incredible" reaction of Wales fans back home to their Euro 2020 win over Turkey

    Manchester United winger James has spoken to his friends and family who have been sent videos of the fans' joyous support for the team.

    Wales fansImage source, PA
  7. Who would Wales want to avoid in last 16?published at 16:46 British Summer Time 20 June 2021

    Italy v Wales (17:00 BST)

    Kevin Ratcliffe
    Former Wales captain on BBC Radio Wales

    You want to keep away from teams like France and Belgium but we seem to be a jinx team for them and we deserved that win in 2016. It wasn't a fluke at all. If we get further in the tournament, other than a complete disaster today, anything can happen. The momentum takes you further.

  8. What are the chances of Wales not qualifying?published at 16:45 British Summer Time 20 June 2021

    Italy v Wales (17:00 BST)

    I know cynicism and pessimism is part of the DNA of football fans, but Wales supporters really shouldn't be fretting too much about not qualifying.

    According to those who know these things, Wales' chances of not progressing to the knockout stages is just 0.6%!

    The number crunchers also give Wales a 14% chance of winning today and a 34% chance of a win or draw.

    Simon Gleave, head of sports analysis, Gracenote: "Wales are almost certain of a place in the second round of Euro 2020 with our simulations estimating only a 0.6% chance of elimination.

    "This can only happen by finishing third and NOT being one of the four best third place teams.

    "The chance that Wales will win the tournament is now 3.4%, up from 1.3% on the eve of the competition beginning. Wales have a 14% chance of victory against Italy and 34% chance of taking something from the match."

    Joe Rodon celebratingImage source, Getty Images
  9. Lawro predicts Wales will lose AGAIN!published at 16:43 British Summer Time 20 June 2021

    Italy v Wales (17:00 BST)

    Wales going home with no points?

    Mark Lawrenson is taking on the other BBC pundits and commentators.

    How is he doing? Well let's just say he's tipped Wales to lose every match. He seems to have Rob Page's side confused with a UK Eurovision entry. He thinks 1-0 to Italy today.

    "I can't buy an exact score and it means I'm still bottom," he told BBC Sport. "I guess I should have stuck to making Premier League predictions.

    "I've had a bit of stick from Wales fans for saying they would lose their first two games but I am delighted they have proved me wrong by taking four points. With my record, it's probably good news I've tipped Italy to beat them on Sunday as well.

    Lawro predictions for final group games.

    Lawro prediction bannerImage source, Getty Images
  10. Honesty is the best policypublished at 16:41 British Summer Time 20 June 2021

    Italy v Wales (17:00 BST)

    JD Cymru South club Llantwit Major AFC have been given a lot of attention on Twitter this weekend, but not because of their usual results service!

    Great honesty, mind.

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  11. Italy to wear black armbands in Boniperti tributepublished at 16:40 British Summer Time 20 June 2021

    Italy v Wales (17:00 BST)

    Italy will be wearing black armbands this evening in tribute to Giampiero Boniperti, their legendary former striker who died on Friday aged 92.

    Boniperti scored eight goals in 38 games for the Azzurri. He spent his entire career at Juventus, where he was a team mate of John Charles, and was later club president.

    Giampiero BonipertiImage source, Getty Images
  12. 'It's a scary Italy team'published at 16:39 British Summer Time 20 June 2021

    Italy v Wales (17:00 BST)

    Mina Rzouki
    European football expert on BBC Radio 5 live

    They do feel that this won't be an easy game, Wales play with a lot of heart. Marco Verratti is the person they think will be able to unlock defences against the bigger opponents. There are changes but also many players people think should be playing. It's a chance to see how the team performs. It's a scary team who haven't conceded in 965 minutes.

  13. How Wales can beat Italypublished at 16:37 British Summer Time 20 June 2021

    Italy v Wales (17:00 BST)

    How can Wales upset the odds and beat Italy?

    Elis James got a former Wales manager to break it down for us.

    Jayne Ludlow has been running the rule over Italy to see if there are any areas Robert Page's team can exploit.

    Media caption,

    Jayne Ludlow takes a look at how Wales might be able to beat Italy

  14. Stat attack - the lowdown on Italy v Walespublished at 16:36 British Summer Time 20 June 2021

    Italy v Wales (17:00 BST)

    Del Piero scores v Wales at Millennium StadiumImage source, Getty Images
    Image caption,

    Alessandro Del Piero celebrates scoring for Italy against Wales in Cardiff

    Here are all the big game stats you need to know today.

    • This is the first match between Italy and Wales at a major tournament. The Azzurri have won seven of the nine meetings, with Wales winning the other two.
    • The most recent encounter was a European Championship qualifier in Milan in 2003, which the hosts won 4-0. Robert Page started for Wales as Filippo Inzaghi scored an 11-minute hat-trick.
    • Italy are unbeaten in their past 29 games. If they avoid defeat, they will equal their all-time longest unbeaten run of 30 games between 1935 and 1939.
    • Italy have gone 965 minutes without conceding a goal.
    • If Wales avoid defeat, they will have made it out of the group stage in all three of their appearances at a major tournament, having also done so at the 1958 World Cup and Euro 2016.
    • Wales have lost just one of their past 15 competitive games, March's 3-1 defeat by Belgium in a World Cup qualifier.
    • Aaron Ramsey has been involved in six of the 13 goals Wales have scored at European Championships, scoring two and assisting four.
  15. 'Chance for a famous victory'published at 16:33 British Summer Time 20 June 2021

    Italy v Wales (17:00 BST)

    James Collins
    Former Wales defender on BBC Radio 5 Live

    I'm certainly a lot more relaxed than I was on Wednesday. I quite like that Pagey has gone strong. In 2016 momentum was a massive thing. It's a chance for the boys to get a famous victory today.

  16. Page 'has nailed every single selection'published at 16:31 British Summer Time 20 June 2021

    Italy v Wales (17:00 BST)

    Ashley Williams
    Former Wales captain on BBC Radio 5 Live

    Quote Message

    Rob Page had some tough decisions to make and with the benefit of hindsight he's nailed every single one. He's taken the boys out on a yellow card but for me it's pleasing to see that we look like we want to go and win the game. Games like this are why you started playing football as a five or six year old."

    A reminder that Wales have made three changes from Wednesday's 2-0 win over Turkey. The three players who drop to the bench are those who are one booking away from a suspension: Ben Davies, Chris Mepham and Kieffer Moore.

    Chris Gunter and Ethan Ampadu come into what looks like a back three, with Neco Williams recalled at left wing-back. It looks like it could be a 3-4-3 system with Aaron Ramsey as a false nine.

  17. A Wales win in Italy that Mancini will rememberpublished at 16:29 British Summer Time 20 June 2021

    Italy v Wales (17:00 BST)

    Italy boss Roberto Mancini will not need reminding of the only time the Azzurri were beaten on home soil by Wales, 33 years ago.

    He was part of a star studded Italian side which also included Franco Baresi, Paolo Maldini, Carlo Ancelotti and Gianluca Vialli who hosted Terry Yorath’s men in a pre-Euro 88 friendly in Brescia.

    Wales had failed to qualify for the finals but Ian Rush’s first half goal secured their first ever win over Italy.

    For Rush the goal had added significance - he had endured a tough season with Juventus and later that summer would re-join Liverpool.

    Ian Rush scoring for JuventusImage source, Getty Images
  18. Italy a ‘group of good-looking lads’published at 16:27 British Summer Time 20 June 2021

    Italy v Wales (17:00 BST)

    Italy have arguably been the most impressive team of Euro 2020 so far, beating both Turkey and Switzerland 3-0 to secure their place in the last 16 already.

    As a result, Azzurri manager Roberto Mancini was asked at his pre-match press conference yesterday if his side are playing the best style of football at this tournament.

    The former Manchester City boss replied with a smile: “I don’t know necessarily if we play the best football but we’re a group of good-looking lads, for sure.”

    Mancini and ItalyImage source, Getty Images
  19. Wales to become world champions? This weekend?published at 16:25 British Summer Time 20 June 2021

    Italy v Wales (17:00 BST)

    Wales fansImage source, Getty Images

    Wales to become world champions this weekend? It might sound like a wind-up, but it's true. Well, kind of.

    If Rob Page's side beat Italy in Rome on Sunday, they will not just finish top of Group A at Euro 2020, they will claim a global title as well - just not a recognised one, sadly.

    In its own words, the Unofficial Football World Championship(UFWC) is an "alternative tournament", which has been contested in 979 boxing-style title matches since the first international game in 1872, with the winner taking the crown each time. A draw means the holders keep it.

    Fifa has not endorsed the competition, obviously - it appears happy to keep holding its own World Cup instead - but it does not disapprove either. It has wished UFWC fans "a lot of fun".

    How Wales can become unofficial world champions by beating Italy on Sunday.

  20. Goal Rush for Wales tonight?published at 16:23 British Summer Time 20 June 2021

    Italy v Wales (17:00 BST)

    Talking of Welsh legends...

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