Italy made eight changes to their side but they were still too strong for Wales as they defeated the Welsh 1-0 in the final Group A encounter.

Italy had already qualified for the last 16 and despite the narrow scoreline had little trouble in retaining their 100% record in the Group and their 8th win over Wales in 10 games.

Wales battled in the first half to keep themselves in the game as they struggled with the long Italian diagonal ball played to either far post.

Chances came and went for the Italians in that opening period with Belotti, Emerson, Chiesa and Pessina all going close and it was the latter who broke the deadlock on 39 minutes.

A clever free kick by Verratti was sent in low for Pessina to meet the ball with a neat flick across keeper Ward and into the far corner. The same player almost repeated the feat a couple of minutes later but just failed to make contact.

For Wales the nearest they came was header narrowly over by Gunter from a corner.

Nothing changed after the break and Bernardeschi immediately hit the post from a free kick. Then came a Wales chance. Ramsey was through on keeper Donnarumma but from a tight angle he lost the ball and the chance was gone.

It then got worse for Wales as they were reduced to ten men on 55 minutes as Ampadu was shown red for stamping on the ankle of Bernardeschi.

Ward saved from Belotti after a quick Italian break used their one man advantage to the full. But it was Wales who should have levelled but the unmarked Bale fired a volley over from 10 yards.

Italy comfortably played out time and really should have scored more but credit the battling Wales rearguard with preventing this and who also qualify for the last 16 despite this defeat.

Full Time

Italy: 1 ((Pessina 39

Wales: 0 (Ampadu red 55)

Venue: Stadio Olimpico, Rome

Man of the Match: Verratti