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Italy opens Euro 2020 with win over Turkey

By Ernesto Hernandez

Italy's forward Ciro Immobile celebrates scoring the team's second goal during the UEFA EURO 2020 Group A football match between Turkey and Italy at the Olympic Stadium in Rome on June 11, 2021. (Photo by Mike Hewitt / POOL / AFP) (Photo by MIKE HEWITT/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Italy's forward Ciro Immobile celebrates scoring the team's second goal during the UEFA EURO 2020 Group A football match between Turkey and Italy at the Olympic Stadium in Rome on June 11, 2021. (Photo by Mike Hewitt / POOL / AFP) (Photo by MIKE HEWITT/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) /
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After missing out on World Cup 2018, Italy wanted to kick off Euro 2020 on the right foot. Mission accomplished for Roberto Mancini’s side who breezed past Turkey 3-0.

The first half saw little action with Turkey doing well sitting back and inviting Italy to take the initiative. It was a typical inaugural game to a tournament with neither side wanting to concede the first goal.

In the end, it was Turkey who blinked first as Italy broke the deadlock in the 53rd minute thanks to an own goal by Turkish defender Merih Demiral.

Thirteen minutes later, Italy got their second thanks to Ciro Immobile. The Lazio striker slotted the ball in the back of the net following a nice play by the Italians that saw a prior shot deflected by the keeper. The rebound landed to Immobile who did not miss.

The two-goal advantage would have proved more than enough for the Italian side as Turkey looked bereft of ideas against a staunch defense. But the home side wasn’t done quite yet.

Italy would add to their lead and score a third in the 79th minute. The Turkish goalkeeper, Uğurcan Çakır, misplaced his pass, which led to Lorenzo Insigne receiving a pass almost completely unmarked on the left. The Napoli forward coolly placed the ball in the back of the net for the final Italian goal.

Italy win and make history in the process.

In addition to winning 3-0 over Turkey, Italy also made some history of their own. The three goals marks the first time they scored that many in a European Championship.

With the win, Italy top Group A with three points and with a decent goal differential. They undoubtedly have their sights set now on outdoing their performance from Euro 2016 where they were eliminated by Germany in the quarterfinal on penalties.

The action for the second day of the tournament will see the other members from Group A, Wales and Switzerland kick things off.

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They will then be followed by games for Group B, which sees Denmark take on Finland before the final match of the day between Russia and Belgium.

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