Euro 2020 Round-Up: Italy & Wales seal big wins while Finland suffer first defeat

Aleksei Miranchuk of Russia celebrates after scoring their side's first goal during the UEFA Euro 2020 Championship Group B match between Finland and Russia at Saint Petersburg Stadium on June 16, 2021 in Saint Petersburg, Russia

Aleksei Miranchuk of Russia celebrates after scoring their side's first goal during the UEFA Euro 2020 Championship Group B match between Finland and Russia at Saint Petersburg Stadium on June 16, 2021 in Saint Petersburg, Russia Credit: Extratime Team (ETPhotos)

Italy rubber-stamped their Euro 2020 credentials on Wednesday evening thanks to a dominant win over Switzerland in Rome.

Manuel Locatelli netted twice for the Italians at the Stadio Olimpico to set them on their way to a convincing 3-0 win.

The Azzurri added the icing to the cake late on in the 88th minute thanks to a goal from Ciro Immobile.  

Rob Page’s Wales also secured a pivotal win in Baku – seeing off Turkey by two goals to nil.

It was a composed display from Wales who strolled to the win, and they could have made it three had Gareth Bale netted his spot-kick.

Aaron Ramsey’s goal just before the break set them on their way, but they had to wait until the fifth minute of injury time to seal the deal with Connor Roberts netting.

Meanwhile, Finland suffered their first defeat of their maiden European Championship campaign in St Petersburg.



The Finns can count themselves a tad unlucky to have lost the game by a goal to nil – but it was a moment of magic from Alexsey Miranchuk that earned the Russians the three points.

The results blows Group A wide open ahead of Thursday’s crunch clash between Denmark and Belgium in Copenhagen.

    About Andrew Dempsey

    View Full Profile