Locatelli fires Italy past Switzerland and through to Euro 2020 knockout stage

16-Jun-2021 20:52:33 | The Guardian

Manuel Locatelli’s two goals sent Italy on their way to victory over Switzerland that guarantees them passage from Group A to the Euro 2020 knockout stages. The 3-0 win, where Ciro Immobile added a third two minutes from time, followed up their opening night win against Turkey by the same scoreline.

After Giorgio Chiellini had a close-range 19th-minute effort ruled out for handball, the fluid Italian side stayed on the front foot. Seven minutes later Locatelli started and finished a stunning move. His first-time, half-volleyed long pass out to the right sent Domenico Berardi clear. He skipped down the wing and cut inside, pulling back from the byline to the edge of the six-yard box, where Locatelli was arriving at speed to tap in.