Roberto Mancini’s italy equal 82-year-old record with a 30-match winless streak after beating Wales 1-0 at Euro 2020
It was a significant turning point for the Italian national team, which failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup.
After beating Gareth Bale-led Wales 1-0 in their final Group A clash in Rome, the Roberto Mancini’s side has eqalled their all-time record unbeaten run.
Roberto Mancini’s team have now gone 30 games without defeat and could set a new national record if they win their first knockout tie of the competition.
Mancini’s men have equalled a record which has stood for 82 years.
Vittorio Pozzo was the coach as Italy went four years without defeat between October 1935 and July 1939.
In that time they won their second consecutive World Cup and won the gold medal in the Olympics in 1936.
“Pozzo won many important trophies, too, so we’re still far behind that level,” Mancini said. “Anyone who goes through to the round of 16 can win the Euros, that’s for sure.”
Matteo Pessina gave Italy the lead late in the first half by redirecting a free kick from Marco Verratti on a textbook play.
Wales defender Ethan Ampadu was sent off with a questionable straight red card for stepping on Federico Bernardeschi 10 minutes into the second half.
Italy, which won its opening two matches 3-0, finished Group A with a perfect nine points. Wales came second with four points and qualified for the last 16 at only its second European Championship. The Welsh reached the semifinals at Euro.
Italy produced 23 scoring attempts to Wales’ three, held 64% of the possession and completed 553 passes to Wales’ 209.
By the final whistle, Italy had no starters from its opening two matches left on the field, with even goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma replaced by Salvatore Sirigu in the closing minutes.
The victory also marked Italy’s 11th straight win and clean sheet.
