Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...

Italy qualify for Euro 2020 with win vs. Greece

Written by 
Published in Soccer
Saturday, 12 October 2019 14:41

Italy secured a place at next year's European Championship finals with three games to spare thanks to a 2-0 win over Greece at the Stadio Olimpico on Saturday.

A second-half penalty from Chelsea midfielder Jorginho gave the hosts the lead before Federico Bernardeschi drilled in the winner 12 minutes from time.

- Euro 2020: Who will reach the finals?

- Euro 2020 qualifying: All you need to know

Roberto Mancini's side have won all seven of their qualifying matches and top Group J on 21 points, having ended fifth-placed Greece's slim hopes of qualification.

Finland suffered a thumping 4-1 defeat away to Bosnia & Herzegovina but remain second on 12 points, two ahead of Bosnia and Armenia, who missed a golden opportunity to go joint second when they were held to a 1-1 draw away to rock-bottom Liechtenstein.

Italy, dressed in their controversial new green shirt for the first time instead of the usual blue, toiled during the first half as a well-drilled Greek side stopped the hosts from registering any shots on target despite them boasting 72% of possession.

Mancini's side found the breakthrough when Lorenzo Insigne's shot was blocked by the arm of defender Andreas Bouchalakis just after the hour mark, and Jorginho sent the goalkeeper the wrong way from the resulting spot kick.

The result was put beyond doubt late on when substitute Bernardeschi fired a shot into the bottom corner from outside the box.

"We were too frenetic in the first half but should've patiently moved the ball around to open up spaces," Mancini told Rai Sport. "Instead, we started long balls and that's no good.

"It was a much more relaxed second half, we kept focused and achieved our objective."

Victory assured Italy, who failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup finals, of top spot in their group and extended their winning run to eight matches in all competitions, one short of the all-time record set by Vittorio Pozzo's side of 1938/39.

An intriguing battle for second place is developing after two goals from Juventus midfielder Miralem Pjanic helped Bosnia & Herzegovina to thrash Finland 4-1 in Zenica.

Izet Hajrovic and Armin Hodzic also found the net for the hosts either side of a penalty and volley from Pjanic, while Joel Pohjanpalo bagged a late consolation for the Finns.

Armenia squandered the chance to draw level with Finland on 12 points after they took the lead away to Liechtenstein through Tigran Barseghyan, only for Yanik Frick to equalise with 18 minutes remaining.

Read 395 times

Soccer

U.S. firm Friedkin Group agree Everton takeover

U.S. firm Friedkin Group agree Everton takeover

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsThe Friedkin Group has agreed on a deal to take over Everton owner...

Why Man United's Martínez should have been sent off for horror tackle at Palace

Why Man United's Martínez should have been sent off for horror tackle at Palace

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsVideo Assistant Referee causes controversy every week in the Premie...

Source: Haaland avoids sanction for ball throw

Source: Haaland avoids sanction for ball throw

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsErling Haaland will not face punishment for throwing the ball at Ga...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

McCoy, longtime radio voice of Suns, dies at 91

McCoy, longtime radio voice of Suns, dies at 91

EmailPrintPHOENIX -- Al McCoy, who was the radio voice of the Phoenix Suns for more than a half-cent...

Sources: Griffin, 21, mulls NBA future after buyout

Sources: Griffin, 21, mulls NBA future after buyout

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsThe Houston Rockets reached terms on a buyout with forward AJ Griff...

Baseball

A Mets-Braves showdown and ...? What we're watching the final week of the MLB season

A Mets-Braves showdown and ...? What we're watching the final week of the MLB season

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsThe final week of the 2024 MLB regular season has arrived -- and th...

Reds fire manager David Bell after 6 seasons

Reds fire manager David Bell after 6 seasons

EmailPrintThe Cincinnati Reds fired manager David Bell on Sunday night after six seasons.The team an...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated