Staff Reporter.
@EURO2020.
In-form Italy became the first team to reach the knockout stage of the European Championship with another impressive Group A showing in victory over Switzerland.
Roberto Mancini’s side thumped Turkey on the opening day of the tournament and made it back-to-back 3-0 wins courtesy of another sprightly performance in Rome.
Sassuolo midfielder Manuel Locatelli scored twice, first by finishing off a move he started by tapping in from Domenico Berardi’s darting run and cutback.
Italy’s passing and pressing was far superior to their opponents and Locatelli’s fizzing strike from the edge of the area underlined their control of the contest.
Striker Ciro Immobile’s long-range drive, which squirmed under goalkeeper Yann Sommer, completed a comprehensive victory late on.
Switzerland barely threatened an Italian backline that has now gone 10 games without conceding in all competitions, a run approaching 1,000 minutes.
The result keeps Italy, unbeaten in 29 matches after the win and undefeated in competitive matches at the Stadio Olimpico, atop Group A on six points, with Wales in second on four points after beating fourth-place Turkey earlier in the day and Switzerland with a single point in third.
Next up for Italy is a Sunday match against Wales, while Switzerland face Turkey on the same day.