The first hurdle has been crossed by Italy and they got off to a flying start after some resilience from Turkey. It was a one-sided show as expected but Turkey didn't make it easy for Italy as the scoreline depicted. It was a lovely first game for the Euro 2020.
It has been expected that the first game might not produce too many goals because both teams would try to be careful and hope to gain at least a point but after a frustrating first half showing, Italy reproduced their best in the second half with brilliant interplays and exquisite finishing.
Insigne had the first real chance of the game after receiving a returned pass. He was played through on goal in the 17th minute but his curling effort went wide. Bonucci also tried a long range short afterwards even though he had the option to pass the ball and his effort went wide.
Italy had a shout for handball in the 21st minute but the referee was having none of it.
Chiellini also got everyone to their feet from the technical area because when the chance fell to him for a header inside the box, he was expected to bury it but instead, the goalkeeper got a fingertip on it to push it over for another corner kick.
Italy kept at it but their efforts were not producing much on the night. Ciro Immobile also had his header flash wide and another moment of frustration came shortly before the half time whistle went when Italy had another shout for a handball inside the box. The referee consulted with VAR and it was judged that the hand was in a natural position.
Turkey had a chance of their own shortly after the restart but despite racing through on goal, the effort didn't threaten the goalkeeper much from a tight angle. Shortly after, in the 53rd minute, Italy got their first goal and it came off the body of Meril Demiral. Locatelli crossed into the box and in an attempt to block it off, Meril bundled the ball into his own net.
Italy never looked back from then on and Spinazzola also had a shot saved by the goalkeeper before Ciro Immobile added to the scoreline in the 67th minute after gathering a rebound that was spilt by the goalkeeper to make it 2-0. He simply guided the ball into the back of the net.
A goalkeeper error led to the third goal as a misplaced pass from him was gathered and Italy pounced. Immobile found Insigne at the edge of the box and he buried his chance.
The game ended 3-0 on the night in favour of Italy who have been tipped to win the match at least.
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