Italy edge Wales but both advance

Italy’s reserves really do play as well as their starters. Or just about.

Roberto Mancini has been saying for weeks that all 26 members of his squad are starters. And after beating Wales 1-0 yesterday despite making eight changes to his starting lineup at the European Championship, it’s hard to argue with him.

The victory extended Italy’s unbeaten streak to 30 matches – matching a team record.

Matteo Pessina gave Italy the lead late in the first half by redirecting a free kick from Marco Verratti on a textbook play.

Wales defender Ethan Ampadu was sent off with a questionable straight red card for stepping on Federico Bernardeschi 10 minutes into the second half.

Italy, who won their opening two matches 3-0, finished group A with a perfect nine points while Wales came second with four points.

In the other match in the group, Xherdan Shaqiri scored two goals to give Switzerland a 3-1 victory over Turkey and a likely place in the round of 16.

Switzerland finished third in group A and will likely qualify as one of the four best third-place teams. The Swiss will have to wait until other groups are finished for confirmation.

Boos echoed around the stadium at the end of the match as Turkey exited after losing all three of their games. The team’s goal difference was minus-seven, the worst since the European Championship expanded to a 24-team competition in 2016.

Chasing only their second European title, Italy will play the second-place team from Group C at Wembley Stadium in London next Saturday. Wales will play the second-place team from Group B in Amsterdam.

The victory also marked Italy’s 11th straight win and clean sheet.

The Azzurri first went 30 straight unbeaten under coaching great Vittorio Pozzo from 1935-39 with a team that won its second consecutive World Cup.

It’s been a remarkable turnaround for this Italy squad, which failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup.