Euro 2020: Italy 1-0 Wales: Imperious Azzurri cap perfect group campaign
With progression from Group A already assured, Mancini named a much-changed side in Rome, but the Azzurri’s squad depth was on show on Sunday.
Indeed, it was one of Italy’s new faces who got the winner – Matteo Pessina becoming the youngest Italian player to score on his first start at a major tournament since Antonio Cassano at Euro 2004. Pessina’s moment came with a neat flick in the 39th minute.
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Wales’ comeback hopes appeared to have been dashed when Ethan Ampadu saw red, although Gareth Bale then missed a golden chance. Yet Italy sealed an 11th straight win and made it 30 games unbeaten in the process to match a long-standing national record.
One of eight Italy changes, Andrea Belotti went close to connecting with an acrobatic attempt early on, before the Torino striker flashed a low strike across goal in the 24th minute.
