Euro 2020 Round Up: Italy, Wales secure last 16 berth, Swiss face agonising wait

The third set of the 2020 European Championship games begun on Sunday with Italy beating 10-man Wales 1-0 in Rome, while the visitors held on to second place in Group A despite the defeat. The two nations have booked their place in the last 16.

Switzerland defeated Turkey 3- 1 in other Group A match up but still have to wait to see if they will could advance as one of the four best third-placed teams.

We begin today’s episode reliving the glorious and inglorious moments from Day 10.

RESULTS

GROUP A

Italy 1 – 0 Wales

Switzerland 3 – 1 Turkey

SUMMARY

Wales into knockout phase despite defeat to Italy 

Wales clung on with 10-men to secure second place in Group A after Italy edge them 1 – 0 in Rome on Sunday. 

Matteo Pessina’s solitary goal in the first half was enough to ensure Italy beat Wales 1-0 to finish Group A.

The Italians had already guaranteed their progress from Group A, but they assured themselves of first place with victory, while Wales secured a berth too by finishing ahead of Switzerland on goal difference.

Switzerland’s 3-1 triumph against a hapless Turkey at the Olympic Stadium in Baku boosted their chances of advancing into the last 16 as one of the four best third-place finishers.

 Shaqiri doudle leaves Swiss in pole position to advance

Xherdan Shaqiri inspired Switzerland to a 3 – 1 victory over Turkey in Baku on Sunday as they finished third in Group A.

In the same group, Italy beat Wales 1-0 after the Welsh were reduced to 10 men in the second half. The result was enough for them to qualify in second place in Group A on goal difference ahead of the Swiss.

The Swiss took the lead in the early six minutes of the first half through Haris Seferovic who latched on a pass from Steven Zuber on the edge of the area before blasting the ball into the Turkish goal.

Shaqiri added a second before the break but Turkey seemed to have gained their rythm to pull one back to make it 2-1 but the Liverpool Winger capped in a third to see The Crescent-Stars exit the competition.

The Swiss still stand a decent chance of making it to the knock out phase as one of the best third-placed after their superb win.

With reference from UEFA, while the top two in each UEFA EURO 2020 group are guaranteed a berth in the round of 16, only the four best third-placed teams will join them in advancing.

Group A Standings after Game 3

MONDAY’S PREVIEW 

Group C – North Macedonia vs Netherlands – Johan Cruyff Arena, Amsterdam, 4PM

North Macedonia take on Netherlands who are already guaranteed Group C top spot with a 2-0 win against Austria on Thursday.

North Macedonia on the other hand are already out of the competition with after 2-1 defeat to Ukraine but will play for pride and 37-year-old captain Goran Pandev, who could retire after the tournament.

Netherlands are through as group winners. Ukraine will finish second with a win or draw.

Austria must beat Ukraine to finish second.

Group C – Ukraine vs Austria – Arena Nationala, Bucharest, 4PM

Ukraine and Austria head into their final group match up with three points each after both nations picked wins against North Macedonia and lost to Netherlands in their opening two matches, so a draw would almost certainly see both teams progress to the knockout phase.

Ukraine can finish second with a win or draw whiles Austria must beat Ukraine to finish second.

Group B – Finland vs Belgium – Krestovsky Stadium, St Petersburg, 7PM

Belgium are already winners in their first two games of Euro 2020 and seek to continue their flawless run against Finland on Monday with maximum points enough to qualify for the last 16.

Belgium are through and will top Group B with either a draw or a victory, while their Finnish counterparts must win to ensure progress.

Finland can secure last 16 berth with a win, or a draw if Russia lose to Denmark.

Group B – Russia vs Denmark – Parken Stadium, Copenhagen, 7PM 

Russia and Denmark will face off in the last round of matches in their Euro 2020 Group B in Copenhagen on Monday evening, and both sides will be eyeing a spot in the knock out phase.

Denmark’s campaign has been entirely overshadowed by Christain Eriksen’s shocking cardiac arrest during their opening game against Finland.

Stanislav Cherchesov’s side lost by 3 – 0 to Belgium in their opening game. However, they responded with a 1-0 victory against Finland, inspired by Atalanta’s Aleksei Miranchuk.

Russia face Denmark tonight knowing victory will guarantee them a route out of Euro 2020’s Group B.

Russia can go through with a win, or a draw if Finland fail to beat Belgium.

Denmark can finish second if they beat Russia and Finland lose against Belgium, but it will all depend on the goals scored in these two matches.

Acknowledgement: BetwayGhana (Headline Sponsor)

Mark F. | SilverFM