Wales booked their place in the knockout stage of Euro 2020 after finishing as runners-up in Group A, despite falling to a 1-0 loss at the hands of Roberto Mancini’s impressive Italy side in Rome.
Rob Page’s men needed a point to guarantee qualification but clung onto second place with a superior goal difference to Switzerland, who beat Turkey 3-1 in Sunday evening’s other match.
Matteo Pessina’s sublime volleyed finish gave Italy a one-goal advantage at the halfway stage and Wales had no answer, with Ethan Ampadu sent off for a poor challenge on Federico Bernardeschi just 10 minutes into the second period at the Stadio Olimpico.
Aaron Ramsey and Gareth Bale both had golden opportunities to equalise against the run of play, either side of the sending off, but they were let down by wayward finishing and Italy held firm to secure a 30th consecutive match without defeat.
The hosts had already sealed their spot in the next round with a pair of comprehensive 3-0 wins over Turkey and Switzerland and their latest victory further enhanced their status as one of the favourites at this summer’s tournament alongside world champions France.
The first major chance of the match fell to Andrea Belotti in the 24th minute but the Torino striker dragged his shot narrowly wide of the post from a tight angle.
After Chris Gunter headed a Daniel James corner just over the crossbar, Mancini’s men ramped up the pressure with a series of incisive attacks and Ampadu came to the rescue as he deflected Federico Chiesa’s strike behind for a corner.
But the Italians took a deserved lead in the 39th minute as Pessina directed home Marco Verrati’s low free-kick with an exquisite volley beyond Danny Ward in the Welsh goal.
Pessina very nearly doubled his tally just two minutes later but saw his first-time finish roll inches past the upright much to the relief of Wales’ defence, who looked desperate for the half-time whistle to be blown.
There was no let-up after the break, though, as Juventus star Bernardeschi hammered a 30-yard free-kick against the outside of the post.
Ramsey was gifted a rare chance to equalise after a woeful backwards header from second-half substitute Francesco Acerbi but the midfielder failed to capitalise on the mistake, dallying on the ball before the attack broke down.
Just as Wales appeared to be gaining a foothold, Ampadu was given his marching orders for a dangerous challenge on Bernardeschi. Replays showed the Chelsea youngster came down with force on his opponent’s ankle and referee Ovidiu Hategan wasted little time in brandishing a red card.
An unmarked Bale had a massive chance to level in the 75th minute as Joe Rodon’s header found him at the back post, but the Real Madrid forward looked on in dismay after blazing his volleyed effort well over the bar.
Italy kept hold of their narrow lead against ten-man Wales to secure a third win from three and there were wild scenes after the game as Mancini’s players celebrated their 30th successive game without defeat in front of a rapturous Rome crowd.
‘We knew it would be very difficult from the start,’ Wales captain Bale told ITV Sport shortly after the final whistle.
‘A lot of running and defending, I am proud of the boys. We have made it through.
‘I didn’t see too much of the red card. It was unfortunate. We had to dig deep and we did that.
‘We have to recover now and take the break and get ready to get going again.
‘With my chance I couldn’t quite get over the ball, but it makes no difference in the end, we finish second.’
Ramsey felt Wales displayed ‘great character’ against an impressive Italy team. and argued that Ampadu’s sending off in the second half was perhaps a ‘bit harsh’.
‘It was tough for long periods. We were up against a great team who have gone 30 games unbeaten – that’s some achievement,’ he said.
‘But we showed great character, you can never question this team, we always give everything and we dug in.
‘I feel sorry for Ethan – it was a bit harsh maybe. He certainly caught him, it was one of those decisions that could have gone either way.
‘It was important to create a couple of opportunities and we could have nicked a draw on another day.
‘We need to be more consistent throughout the game but we are through in second place and we are delighted.’
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from Football – Metro https://ift.tt/3xBN9sc
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