Wales gears up for Euros clash as Gareth Bale and his team take on the Italians in Rome
Woe for Welsh fans as Italy takes the lead against Gareth Bales’ team by scoring first in Euro 2020 clash 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
- Find out the latest Euro 2020 news including fixtures, live action and results here
Italy have inflicted first-half woe on Welsh fans by taking the lead in their final Euro 2020 group clash in Rome tonight.
Midfielder Matteo Pessina touched home a teasing cross from a Marco Verratti free-kick to give the Italians a narrow first-half lead in the decisive group game.
Andrea Belotti Federico Chiesa had earlier gone close for Italy, while Wales defender Chris Gunter narrowly headed over from a Daniel James cross.
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.
Both teams are bidding to top the group and secure a place in the knock-out stages.
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
Italy have inflicted first half woe on Welsh fans after taking the lead in their final Euro 2020 group clash in Rome tonight
Midfielder Matteo Pessina touched home a teasing cross from a free-kick to give the Italians a narrow first-half lead in the decisive group game
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 are currently on maximum points, six from their first two games, and will be looking to secure a first-place finish with a win or a draw against Wales.
But 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 still 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.
As it stands, even though Wales are losing, they are heading through to the knock-out stages because Switzerland are winning 2-0 against Turkey.
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.
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
A Wales fan in Cardiff, ahead of the UEFA Euro 2020 Group A match between Italy and Wales
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
‘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.
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.
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.
