Wales fans off to Amsterdam after Dragons secure last 16 place in Euro 2020 despite Italy defeat
Wales fans are off to Amsterdam! Gareth Bales’ men delight supporters by qualifying for last 16 of Euro 2020 despite losing 1-0 to Italy in Rome
- Expectant Wales fans pack out pubs in anticipation for Dragon’s final Group A match of Euro 2020 in Rome
- Top of the table Italy play Wales at Euro 2020 in Group A in the Stadio Olympico – kick-off is at 5:00pm (BST)
- A Welsh side led by Gareth Bale can secure a last-16 place with at least a draw in tonight’s decisive fixture
- But Wales are 1-0 down and a man down after midfielder Matteo Pessina scored and Ethan Ampadu sent off
- Wales captain Gareth Bale also missed a gilt-edged chance to draw his side level, blasting a volley over the bar
- Find out the latest Euro 2020 news including fixtures, live action and results here
Wales fans are off to Amsterdam after their side secured a place in Euro 2020’s last 16, despite a 1-0 defeat to Italy tonight.
The Dragons fell to defeat against Group A winners Italy at the Stadio Olympico in Rome. Midfielder Matteo Pessina poked home the only goal, turning home a teasing cross from a Marco Verratti free-kick just before half-time.
It left Wales fans fearing that their side might miss out on a last 16 place. And the woe only got worse when Ethan Ampadu saw red for a challenge on Federico Bernardeschi after half-time.
Wales captain Gareth Bale also missed a gilt-edged chance to draw his side level, blasting a volley over the bar while unmarked at the back post.
But Wales still managed to secure a place a knockout places, on goal difference, after Switzerland were only able to secure a 3-1 win against Turkey in the other final Group A game.
They face the runners-up of Group B on Saturday, which will likely be Russia, Finland or Denmark.
Earlier, Wales players had taken the knee ahead of kick-off at the Stadio Olympico, while several Italian players and the referee remained standing.
It comes as expectant Wales fans once again packed out pubs and bars to watch their side take on Italy in their final Euro 2020 Group A match.
Wales fans remained in high spirits despite seeing their team go a goal down and a man down in their game against Italy on Sunday night
Italy have inflicted first-half woe on Welsh fans by taking the lead in their final Euro 2020 group clash in Rome tonight
Andrea Belotti Federico Chiesa had earlier gone close for Italy, while Wales defender Chris Gunter narrowly headed over from a Daniel James cross. Pictured left and right: Wales fans faced first-half woe after Italy took the lead
The woe for Wales fans has only increased in the second half, with The Dragons now down to 10-men after Ethan Ampadu saw red for a challenge on Federico Bernardeschi.
Wales captain Gareth Bale also missed a gilt-edged chance to draw his side level, blasting a volley over the bar while unmarked at the back post
Despite the agony of facing defeat, Wales could still go through to the knockout stages if results in the group go their way. Even though Wales are losing, they are still on course for knock-out qualification because Switzerland are currently 3-1 up in the other Group A clash with Turkey.
Italy have inflicted first half woe on Welsh fans after taking the lead in their final Euro 2020 group clash in Rome tonight
Wales are captained by Real Madrid ace Gareth Bale – who is currently on loan at Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur. Here he is pictured against Wales tonight
Wales players took the knee at the start of the game against Italy (pictured left), while most Italian players stood – with some taking the knee. Romanian referee Ovidiu Hategan (pictured right) did not take the knee ahead of kick-off
The Italians meanwhile go through top of Group A with maximum points, with three wins from three games, having beaten Wales, Turkey and Switzerland.
The Dragons, captained by Real Madrid ace Gareth Bale, could have leapfrogged their Italian opponents with a victory – which would have seen them top the group for the first time in their history.
The only other time Wales qualified for the European Championships in the tournaments 60-year history was the last one, in 2016, where they progressed to the semi-finals.
However Wales maintained their 100 per cent record of getting out of the group stages, despite the defeat, because results went their way in the other game of Group A.
Switzerland beat Turkey 3-1 in Baku tonight to finish Group A level with Wales on four points. But they fell short of Wales’ superior goal difference.
A further two goal swing, with Wales conceding or Switzerland scoring the goals, would have seen Wales dumped out at the group stage.
But Wales, despite going down to 10-men, put in a stoic defensive display in the second-half against Italy to ensure their qualification for the group stages of Euro 2020.
Expectant Wales fans have once again packed out pubs and bars to watch their side take on Italy in their final Euro 2020 Group A match
Rome’s Stadio Olimpico is hosting the match between Italy and Wales. Wales fans pictured at the stadium
Wales fans at the 4TheFans Fan Zone at the Oval Space, London as they watch the UEFA Euro 2020 Group D match between Italy and Wales in Rome
Wales fans watch the UEFA Euro 2020 Group A match between Italy and Wales at Boom: Battle Bar in Cardiff
A Wales fan in Cardiff, ahead of the UEFA Euro 2020 Group A match between Italy and Wales
Fans couldn’t believe it when Gareth Bale missed a volley at the back post after finding himself in space in front of goal
The Dragons, captained by Real Madrid ace Gareth Bale, could leapfrog their Italian opponents with a victory which would see them top the group for the first time in their history. A draw however would secure Wales second place and a spot in the knock-out stages – maintaining their 100 per cent record of getting out of the group stages
The only other time Wales qualified for the European Championships was the last one, in 2016, where they progressed to the semi-finals
Wales supporters cheer during the UEFA EURO 2020 Group A football match between Italy and Wales at the Olympic Stadium in Rome
Passionate Wales fans show their support, despite being 1-0 down to Italy in their Group A game in Rome in Euro 2020
Speaking yesterday in a press conference ahead of tonight’s game, Wales manager Rob Page said: ‘We’re gonna pick a team that’s going to go out there and absolutely give everything for Wales and for the cause and we want to win the game.
‘If we don’t want to finish top we want to finish second.
‘I’ve said to the lads, we don’t want to limp across the line, we want to qualify in style and get where we deserve, which in my opinion is the top two.’
Gareth Bale added that the team has ‘done our homework’ and said he’d be happy to take penalties if asked to step up again.
Fans gather for Italy v Wales in Rome, Italy, June 20, 2021. The final Group A game for Wales
Wales fans at the 4TheFans Fan Zone at the Oval Space, London
Fully kitted out fans enjoy a beer before the game gets going in the Stadio Olympico in Rome on Sunday night
Wales fans in the stands ahead of the UEFA Euro 2020 Group A match at the Stadio Olimpico, Rome
Wales fans at the 4TheFans Fan Zone at the Oval Space, London, ahead of the game against Italy on Sunday night
Fans from both sides gather at the Euro2020 gather for Italy v Wales in Rome, Italy
Wales fans pose in the stands before the match at Stadio Olimpico, Rome, Italy
Wales fans in Cardiff, ahead of the UEFA Euro 2020 Group A match between Italy and Wales
Wales’ team is starting XI: Ward, Connor Roberts, Gunter, Rodon, Ampadu, Neco Williams, Morrell, Allen, Ramsey, Bale, James.
Italy is starting XI: Donnarumma, Toloi, Bonucci, Bastoni, Emerson Palmieri, Verratti, Jorginho, Pessina, Bernardeschi, Belotti, Chiesa.
