ROME: Italy topped its group in the European Championship after a third straight win on Sunday, with a first-half goal from Matteo Pessina giving it a 1-0 victory over 10-man Wales, which also advances to the knockout stages of the competition.
The Italians had already guaranteed their progress, while Wales secured a berth too by finishing ahead of Switzerland on goal difference.
Italy manager Roberto Mancini made eight changes to rest most of his first-choice starters, but Italy still dominated and missed several chances either side of Pessina's 42nd-minute goal, when he steered a low Marco Verratti free kick into the far corner.
Welsh centre back Ethan Ampadu was shown a straight red card in the 55th minute for stamping on Federico Bernadeschi's foot, and Wales then missed its best chance of an equaliser in the 74th when Gareth Bale volleyed over the bar from close range.
Italy will next face the runner-up of Group C, while Wales will take on the runner-up of Group B. Agencies
GROUP A
Team MP W D L GF GA GD Points
1 Italy (Q) 3 3 0 0 7 0 7 9
2 Wales (Q) 3 1 1 1 3 2 1 4
3 Switzerland3 1 2 0 4 5 -1 4
4 Turkey 3 0 0 3 1 8 -7 0
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