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Italy and Wales Are Through.

olawaliumPosted for Everyone to comment on, 3 years ago3 min read

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I predicted Italy and Switzerland to go through but instead, Italy and Wales got through to the next round. Wales impressed me already, no doubt and they would have played a draw with Italy if not for the costly missed chance by Gareth Bale in the 75th minute despite being a man down, Wales still battled hard.

Italy hosted Wales and a draw would be enough for Wales and in this case, a 1-0 loss barring any goal fest in favour of Switzerland against Turkey. They managed to keep the loss at 1-0 while Switzerland won against Turkey by 3 goals to 1.

Verratti had the chance to keep his side ahead when his curling effort went off the target. It wasn't long after, Ampadu deflected a goal-bound effort from Chiesa for a corner kick much to their relief. Italy finally broke the deadlock and got the only goal of the game when Verratti won a freekick in the 39th minute. The freekick was expertly delivered into the box and Pessina produced a classy flick that led the goal into the bottom corner of the net. Pessina tried to have another flick a few minutes after but he wouldn't get the touch to the ball.

Wales showed promise on many occasions but they lacked the finishing touches. Bernardeschi produced a lovely free-kick that was good enough but it could only clip the base of the outer post. Just a minute after, Ramsey was played in but he didn't get the support and the attack was nullified.

In the 53rd minute, Ampadu received his marching orders which I felt was a bit harsh. A yellow card would have been fair. Chiesa also connected with Belotti in the box but the goalkeeper saved it. Bale had his moment with his volley inside the box bug he blazed over and the disappointment was evident on his face. With his experience, He should have buried that chance. Belotti also struck his shot in the 88th minute but the goalkeeper came to the rescue to deny him by gathering the ball.

The game ended 1-0 in favour of Italy.

In other news, Switzerland beat Turkey by 3 goals to 1, thanks to a 6th-minute strike from Seferovic and a double from Shaqiri in the 26th and the 68th minute. Turkey scored at least in this tournament in the 62nd minute thanks to Kahveci. The goal margin wasn't enough to dethrone Wales from the second spot as they held firm. Switzerland should have scored even more than 3 goals but they were unlucky with a penalty shout by Xhaka that wasn't given and his freekick that struck the upright rather than go in, to so many missed chances which Shaqiri was also one of the culprits. They played spectacularly on the day but it was not enough.

Italy, no doubt, have been sensational - scoring and not conceding.

Here is how the table looks like:

Italy - 9 Points (Maximum Points)
Wales - 4 Points (with a goal difference of +1.)
Switzerland - 4 Points (with a goal difference of -1)
Turkey - 0 Point (with a goal difference of -7)


Thank you for your time.


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Olawalium; (Love's chemical content, in human form). Take a dose today: doctor's order.

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