The first decisions were made in the European Championship: Italy won Group A and moved with second-seeded Wales to the eighth finals, while Switzerland is third in the waiting room. For Turkey, the tournament ends with zero points.
Italy had already secured a place in the Round of 16, while Wales were also very close after beating Turkey and a draw against Switzerland. The most tension was in the group match between Switzerland and Turkey. Xherdan Shaqiri became the Swiss champion in Baku.
Switzerland – Turkey: 3-1
The evening started with a chance for Turkey, but within six minutes the ball was on the other side: Haris Seferovic scored with a hidden long shot. It was 2-0 before the break: Shaqiri gently hit the ball into the top corner. Meanwhile, goalkeeper – and new father – Jan Sommer proved his worth by defusing a slew of Turkish chances.
After the break, Irfan Kahveci revived the tension with a beautiful goal, Turkey’s first goal in this European Championship. However, to no avail. Switzerland brought the difference back to two goals not too long ago thanks to Shaqiri, who beautifully netted his second goal again in the evening: 3-1. Then Orkun Kökcü was allowed to fill in for Turkey.
That all who wanted Shaqiri on the bench today to return their Swiss passport (don’t care, I’ll always have my ID). # suit pic.twitter.com/8YMBlBWTlu
– Thomas Wiesel (@wieselT) June 20 2021
Italy – Wales: 1-0
In Rome, mighty Italy booked the Group C win. Atalanta Bergamo midfielder Matteo Pesina scored the only goal of the match with a pass from Marco Verratti – one of eight new players (!) at the Italian base. Wales finished the match with ten men due to the red card of defender Ethan Ampadu. Gianluigi Donnarumma, goalkeeper of the Azzurri national team, has not yet passed more than 1,000 minutes. Striking: He was replaced by Salvatore Sirigu in the final.
Group winners Italy advance to the eighth finals and meet the second seed of the European Championship group for the Dutch national team in London. Willie Wells is in second place. The Swiss should hope that their draw against Wales and the win over Turkey is good enough to finish in the top four.
– NLGoal Videos (NlgoalV) June 20 2021
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