Does anyone else feel like a kid at Christmas? We’re just an hour away from the opening game of the much-anticipated European Championship: Italy vs Turkey in Group A. Kick-off in Rome is at 20:00 BST.
- M. Demiral(53' O.G)
- C. Immobile(66')
- L. Insigne(79')
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It’s all over in Rome and anyone who underestimated Italy before this tournament will not be making that mistake again. Roberto Mancini’s side have been superb tonight and celebrate a richly deserved 3-0 win to open their Group A account in style.
Turkey conjure up their best chance of the game deep in stoppage time, but Yilmaz is denied at the near post by a brilliant sliding block by Chiellini. Terrific defending.
Tempers have frayed a bit here as Turkey show some frustration.
Yellow card
H. Dervisoglu
It's taken 88 minutes but we've seen the first booking of the tournament, and it's a deserved one too.
Yellow card
Ç. Söyüncü
Italy have this game in the bag but they’re still pouring forward looking for more, making a real statement of their championship credentials. Next up for Mancini’s side it’s Switzerland (again in Rome) next Wednesday.
Turkey had a plan, but will need to show a lot more attacking intent next time out in Group A against Wales on Wednesday afternoon.
GOOOAAALLL!!! Done and dusted, and it’s Insigne who makes the game safe with a lovely finish. He’s found himself in space often tonight, but this time it all comes from a really poor clearance and a wide-open Insigne makes no mistake with a finish into the far bottom corner. 3-0.
Goal
L. Insigne
Immobile drops back looking for a cut-back, but Cristante whips his cross across the face of the goal instead.
Turkey are really struggling to even get hold of the ball now, let alone mount a convincing attempt at a comeback. Their gameplan was only going to work if they kept the game level until about this time; chasing a 2-0 deficit involves a tactical overhaul that doesn’t appear to be within the squad’s capabilities against an opponent this strong.
The Italians have dropped their tempo slightly, but only to secure even more control of the game.
Italy have been outstanding tonight. It looked for a while like Turkey would frustrate them, but they kept their patience and shape and have reaped the rewards.
GOOOAALLL!!! Is that the game for Italy? Immobile gets the goal that his performance has deserved, latching onto a rebound save to tuck home the Italians’ second. 2-0.
Goal
C. Immobile
That means Turkey’s whole central midfield has now been replaced.
On
I. Kahveci
Off
O. Yokuslu
Two more changes for Turkey...
On
K. Ayhan
Off
O. Tufan
Berardi gets a rush of blood to the head as a poor clearance drops straight to him in the box. His shot slides well wide of the far post and host of unmarked teammates in the box make their dissatisfaction known.
Italy are swarming all over Turkey here and it feels like a second goal isn’t far away. This time another decent attempt from range is scrambled around the post by Cakir.
Turkey give the ball away in midfield and Insigne nearly punishes them, only for his shot on the edge of the box taking a deflection wide.