ITALY are the first team through to the Euro 2020 knockouts after thrashing Switzerland.
Manuel Locatelli netted a terrific brace in Rome, before Ciro Immobile curled in another goal late on.
- Final score: Italy 3-0 Switzerland
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THAT’S ALL FROM ROME!
Italy enjoyed a comfortable 3-0 victory over Switzerland at the Olimpico, which sealed qualification for Euro 2020’s Round of 16.
The Azzurri thought they broke the deadlock when captain Giorgio Chiellini picked a corner-kick from Lorenzo Insigne in the air and fired it behind Yann Sommer’s goal after the ball bounced back to his feet.
However, VAR ruled that Chiellini’s arm hit the ball before he scored and things got worse for the Juventus star as he hobbled off the pitch with a muscle injury soon after.
However, Manuel Locatelli opened the scoring on 26 minutes when he found Domenico Berardi down the right flank with a wonderful ball from midfield.
Berardi delivered a stunning low cross to the penalty area where Locatelli was after running the whole distance from midfield and beat Sommer with a wonderful finish.
The Sassuolo star completed a brace after 52 minutes and became Italy’s third youngest ace to score two goals in a single game of a major tournament.
Ciro Immobile then sealed his country’s big win with a long-range shot that Sommer couldn’t hold on to in the 89th minute.
That’s all from us here at SunSport, have a lovely night!
GETTY IMAGES BERARDI REACTS
Italy star Domenico Berardi praised Sassuolo team-mate Manuel Locatelli and the rest of the group after the big win against Switzerland.
Berardi said: “Manu [Locatelli] and I know each other very well. He was smart to give me the ball and carry on the run. I am happy for him, he had a great game.
“This group is fantastic, we fought to the end and brought home three fundamental points.
“Training during the week, we get to know each other well. We’ve got so many good strikers, [Lorenzo] Insigne, [Ciro] Immobile, but also [Federico] Chiesa, [Andrea] Belotti and [Federico] Bernardeschi. We’re very happy.
“We must try to give 100 per cent in every game. It’s another important test coming up and we will aim to win that too”
GETTY IMAGES CIR-FUL ENDING
Lazio star Ciro Immobile scored a wonderful goal for Italy against Switzerland on 89 minutes.
Immobile fired a wonderful left-footed shot that put the cherry on top of a dominant night.
Of course, Yann Sommer should have done better there as the ball slipped though his hands.
Check it out:
LOCATELLI REACTS
Italy star Manuel Locatelli insists his Man of the Match performance comes down to the whole team and doesn’t stress Marco Verratti’s imminent return to full fitness.
Locatelli told RAI Sport: “I have to share this award with the whole team.
“I am one of the youngest here, they welcomed me so well and it’s wonderful to be here with them.
“I think we are a wonderful group of lads and really hope Marco can be back soon, because he is such a talented player who can make the difference.
“The coach has to make his choices, all we can do is be ready when called upon”
GETTY IMAGES MANCINI REACTS
Italy manager Roberto Mancini dedicated the win against Switzerland to all Italians struggling from the ongoing pandemic and has no information about Giorgio Chiellini’s injury yet.
Mancini said: “Switzerland are a strong side, we knew it would be a tough game and it was. We had chances, could’ve scored earlier and suffered where we had to, but deserved it at the end.
“We were struggling in the opening minutes, but then we pressed them high and forced them to make mistakes. The lads did really well, it wasn’t easy, their second game in five days and it’s so hot.
“We changed system to have a breather, as we were tired and needed to make adjustments.
“We’ll see tomorrow [about Chiellini] and hope it’s nothing serious.
“We play to win every game and then we’ll see what happens. We dedicate this win to all the Italians who are suffering right now”
GETTY IMAGES UPDATED TABLE
Italy are top of Group A and are on their way to Euro 2020’s Round of 16.
What we do not know yet is whether they will go through as first or second.
Switzerland are third in Group A and will need to beat Turkey in their last game of the group stage to have any real chances of going through.
More below:
STATS
Switzerland dominated 50.7 per cent of possession after a late comeback in the second half.
However, the Swiss national team only managed six shots, one of which was on target.
Italy, on the other hand, produced 13 shots, only three of which were on target.
The Azzurri could have scored more goals as they had three clear-cut chances throughout the match
FT: ITALY 3-0 SWITZERLAND
Italy enjoyed a comfortable victory over Switzerland at the Olimpico, which sealed qualification for Euro 2020’s Round of 16.
The Azzurri thought they opened the scoring when captain Giorgio Chiellini picked a corner-kick from Lorenzo Insigne in the air and fired it behind Yann Sommer’s goal after the ball bounced back to his feet.
However, VAR found that Chiellini’s arm hit the ball before he scored and things got worse for the Juventus star as he hobbled off the pitch with a muscle injury soon after.
However, Manuel Locatelli made it happen on 26 minutes when he found Domenico Berardi down the right flank with a wonderful ball from midfield.
Berardi delivered a wonderful low cross to the penalty area where Locatelli was after running the whole distance from midfield and beat Sommer with a wonderful finish.
The Sassuolo star completed a brace after 52 minutes and became Italy’s third youngest player to score two goals in a single game of a major tournament.
Ciro Immobile sealed his country’s big win with a long-range shot that Sommer couldn’t hold on to in the 89th minute
GETTY IMAGES PEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP!
AND THAT’S IT IN ROME!!!!!!!
ITALY 3-0 SWITZERLAND
90 Three more minutes of stoppage time to go.
Switzerland have accepted their fate…
ITALY 3-0 SWITZERLAND
89 It’s the night of incredible goals, it seems…
Immobile fires a stunning shot outside of the box that ends up in Sommer’s bottom right corner.
To be fair, though, the Switzerland international should have done better as the ball slipped from his hands during the lunge
GOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLL!
ITALY MAKE IT THREE WITH IMMOBILE!!!!!!
ITALY 2-0 SWITZERLAND
88 Locatelli’s brace against Switzerland is going to be remembered.
Here’s why:
ITALY 2-0 SWITZERLAND
86 SUBSTITUTION
And it’s time for a standing ovation for Locatelli who is substituted by Pessina.
Italy manager Mancini also replaces Barella with Cristante
ITALY 2-0 SWITZERLAND
84 SUBSTITUTION
Switzerland manager Petkovic introduces Sow, who takes Freuler’s place
ITALY 2-0 SWITZERLAND
83 Italy have slowed down on tempo in the last few minutes.
However, they remain very vigilant in defence as Switzerland are still struggling to find space
ITALY 2-0 SWITZERLAND
80 Just 10 more minutes to go at the Olimpico.
Switzerland have improved but Italy are so compact that they are not allowing them enough space to show any clinical edge
ITALY 2-0 SWITZERLAND
78 YELLOW CARD
Switzerland international Embolo gets booked for a challenge on Barella from behind
ITALY 2-0 SWITZERLAND
76 SUBSTITUTION
Switzerland manager Petkovic introduces Vargas, who replaces Shaqiri
ITALY 2-0 SWITZERLAND
75 WHAT A CHANCE!
Italy get another impressive counter-attack as Chiesa passes to Immobile down his left and the Lazio star tries another shot that misses Sommer’s goal.
As we said below, Switzerland are struggling to mark Immobile tonight, he gets a lot of space and down the attackign third
ITALY 2-0 SWITZERLAND
74 CHANCE!
And Italy respond again!
Immobile picks up a long ball by Bonucci from defence and tries a shot from a tight angle on the left that just misses Sommer’s bottom left corner.
Switzerland are struggling to mark the Lazio star
ITALY 2-0 SWITZERLAND
73 CHANCE!
Xhaka finds Gavranovic down the left flank with a long ball and the striker then switches with Shaqiri, who flicks it up in the air and tries a shot that is blocked by Italy’s defenders.
The linesman finally raises the flag for offside on Gavranovic, that’s a shame as Shaqiri did well there
ITALY 2-0 SWITZERLAND
70 SUBSTITUTION
Italy manager Mancini makes a double change as Toloi replaces Berardi and Chiesa takes Insigne’s place
ITALY 2-0 SWITZERLAND
68 Locatelli’s goal is quite special for Italy, it seems…
More below:
ITALY 2-0 SWITZERLAND
65 CHANCE!
Italy respond with Berardi just a few seconds later!
The Sassuolo star moves the ball down the area from the right flank and delivers a shot that just misses the crossbar
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
