UEFA Euro 2020 Italy-Switzerland score: Manuel Locatelli double seals last 16 ticket for the Azzurri

A 3-0 win for Italy secured their passage to the knockout stages

Italy became the first side to reach the knockout round of the UEFA Euro 2020 as Manuel Locatelli scored an excellent brace in a 3-0 win over Switzerland in Rome. Fresh from their 3-0 win over Turkey in the competition's opening game, Roberto Mancini's side were perhaps even more impressive in repeating the scoreline against Switzerland, Ciro Immobile striking in the 89th minute to add gloss to a dominant night. Even if the hamstring injury suffered by Giorgio Chiellini in the first half threatens to weaken their outstanding backline for the tournament ahead. If any future opponents are to exploit that potential weakness, they will have to get the ball off Italy, which is no mean feat with Jorginho, Locatelli and Nicolo Barella dominating the midfield. From the outset at the Stadio Olimpico, Italy played with the surety of a side that believe themselves to be champions in waiting. It did not take look for them to put the ball in the net, Chiellini scrambling home a corner by Lorenzo Insigne only to see VAR deny him after he had handled the ball in knocking it down. Moments later, the Juventus veteran would limp out of the contest, clutching his hamstring to be replaced by Francesco Acerbi.