Matteo Pessina has given Italy the half-time lead over Wales after meeting a Marco Verratti free kick in Rome.
Follow all the action as it happens and give your views on the LIVEBLOG.
The Azzurri were already qualified for the Round of 16, but needed a point to guarantee top spot in Group A and match the all-time record of 30 games unbeaten. Giorgio Chiellini and Alessandro Florenzi were injured, but Roberto Mancini made eight changes to the last XI, including Marco Verratti’s Euro 2020 debut after a knee issue. Wales had four points going in, relying on Juventus midfielder Aaron Ramsey as a False 9 and Gareth Bale.
Italy wore black armbands in honour of Azzurri and Juventus legend Giampiero Boniperti, who died this week.
Federico Chiesa skinned Chris Gunter only for his cross for Federico Bernardeschi to be cut out at the last moment, while Emerson Palmieri tested Danny Ward from distance and Andrea Belotti flashed a cross-shot beyond both the upright and Chiesa.
However, Gunter’s header on a corner skimmed the near top corner on 26 minutes, but it was otherwise all Italy, with Ethan Ampadu practically clearing Chiesa’s chest and volley off the line.
The red wall finally fell on 39 minutes when Verratti’s free kick found Pessina, who got in front of the defenders to flick with the inside of the right boot into the far bottom corner. The Atalanta man was the last addition to the Italy squad, coming in after Stefano Sensi’s injury.
It was almost 2-0 moments later, a cross only grazing Pessina, Ampadu and consequently the far post.
Italy 1-0 Wales (Half-Time)
Pessina 39 (I)
Italy: Donnarumma; Toloi, Bonucci, Bastoni, Emerson; Pessina, Jorginho, Verratti; Chiesa, Belotti, Bernardeschi
Wales: Ward; Ampadu, Rodon, Gunter; C Roberts, Morrell, Allen, N Williams; Bale, Ramsey, James
Ref: Hategan (ROM)