Italy finish top of Group A; Wales cling on to second place

The Euro 2020 group stages are drawing to a close and we’re going to see how the knockout rounds will shape up, beginning with the finale to Group A.

Here’s what went down.

Italy 1-0 Wales

Italy finish top of Group A after beating ten-man Wales 1-0 in Rome, but Robert Page’s side will also progress automatically in second place.

Scorers: Pessina 39′.

Wales almost took a shock lead inside the first half when Chris Gunter was found unmarked from a corner but he headed just over from close range.

But the Italians, who have now gone over 1000 minutes without conceding, found themselves in front when Matteo Pessina poked home Marco Verratti’s inviting free-kick from inside the box.

Federico Bernardeschi almost doubled their lead with a free-kick from 30 yards out which clipped the outside of the post.

Ethan Ampadu was then sent off in the second half for a late challenge on Bernardeschi but their consolation came in sealing second place despite Switzerland’s fightback.

They will face either Finland, Russia or Denmark in Amsterdam next Saturday while Roberto Mancini’s men await who will finish second in Group C out of Austria or Ukraine.

Switzerland 3-1 Turkey

Switzerland will have to wait to find out if they have done enough to secure one of the best-placed third-place finishes after beating Turkey in Baku.

Scorers: Seferović 6′, Shaqiri 26′, 68′; Kahveci 62′.

Kaan Ayhan stung the palms of Yann Sommer with a powerful half-volley from the edge of the box as Turkey started the better of the two sides.

But that bright start did not last as Haris Seferović drilled a left-footed shot home from 25 yards out to fire Switzerland in front.

Xherdan Shaqiri then doubled their lead with a curled, right-footed strike from the edge of the box.

Turkey halved the Swiss lead when İrfan Kahveci producing a dipping effort into the top corner, but Shaqiri struck again with a finish from inside the area to restore the two-goal cushion six minutes later.

Vladimir Petković’s have given themselves a fighting chance of qualifying after achieving four points but face a nervous wait to see how the rest of the groups unfold.