Italy make a strong start to the Euros
Italy defeated Turkey 3-0 to lay down a marker in the opening game of Euro 2020 on Friday 11 June 2021.
The Azzuri were forced to bide their time in a frustrating first period in Rome.
Wasteful finishing and a moment of brilliance from goalkeeper Uğurcan Çakır to deny a powerful Giorgio Chiellini header meant it was level at the break.
It did not stay that way for long after the restart. Eight minutes into the second half, Domenico Berardi drove into the area and thumped in a low cross of such venom that Merih Demiral could not adjust his body to deflect it clear, instead inadvertently sending it into his own net. The Azzurri were up and running.
Ciro Immobile opened his finals account 13 minutes later, pouncing on a loose ball and firing past Uğurcan. Turkey had no answer to the home side's fluidity in Rome, and Lorenzo Insigne inflicted further damage when he curled in a wonderful third 11 minutes from time. Italy will take some stopping on this evidence.
- UEFA