top of page
Writer's pictureThe Season Ticket

Euro 2020 | Italy impress in Turkey victory

Italy have kicked off Euro 2020 with a comprehensive 3-0 win against Turkey at Stadio Olimpico in Rome.

Roberto Mancini's impressive hosts finally made a breakthrough when Merih Demiral inadvertently turned the ball into his own net, before Ciro Immobile and Lorenzo Insigne found the net for the Azzurri.

The first match of the 51-game tournament was preceded by fireworks and a rousing rendition of 'Nessun Dorma' by Andrea Bocelli in front of 16,000 fans in the Italian capital.

Italy entered Group A's opening match in ominous form, winning their last eight games in a row without conceding a goal, and going unbeaten in their last 27 overall.

The home side dominated the first half against a determined Turkey defence, with Turkish goalkeeper Ugurcan Cakir making an excellent save to deny a Giorgio Chiellini from a corner.

Italy, who registered an impressive 24 attempts on goal, took the lead in the 53rd minute when Demiral diverted Domenico Berardi's low cross into his own net from six yards.

https://twitter.com/EURO2020FR/status/1403453225458622469

Manuel Locatelli then forced Cakir into a fine save with a low shot as Italy cranked up the pressure on Şenol Güneş's visitors.

Mancini's men doubled their lead in the 66th minute when Immobile pounced with a clinical finish from 10 yards after Cakir parried Leonardo Spinazzola's initial powerful strike.

Insigne capped off an excellent display with the pick of the game's goals in the 79th minute.

Berardi intercepted a poor Turkey clearance and found Napoli's Insigne on the left of the box, and the 30-year-old curled a sumptuous finish into the far top corner from 20 yards to put the game beyond doubt.

Italy saw the match out comfortably to record a trademark clean sheet.

It is the first time in European Championship history that the Azzurri have registered three goals in a single match.

Next up in Group A is Wales' clash with Switzerland.

1 view0 comments

Comments


bottom of page