Turkey 0-3 Italy, result, goals, summary: Euro 2021

Not a bad shout!

We're up and running for Euro 2020. Italy were magnificent tonight. Mancini will be delighted with his side's overall performance. There was no Turkish delight as Italy were just too strong. The Azzurri dominated the first half but the sides went into the break all-square. Italy came out all guns blazing and scored three in the second 45 minutes. Demiral put the ball into his own net before Immobile and Insigne scored two more to finish off a fine performance. 

Italy win "away" in Rome! 

FT: Turkey 0-3 Italy

What a block by Chiellini to prevent a Turkish consolation. Yilmaz thinks he has made it 3-1 but the 36-year-old veteran gets the final touch. 

There will be three minutes added on in Rome. 

Dervisoglu goes straight into the referre's notebook for a nasty challenge on Barella, who hasn't stopped running all night.

That was the first booking of tonight's contest and the first of Euro 2020.

Soyuncu picks up a booking for a foul on Bernardeschi. 

Turkey are absolutely shattered. It'll take them a couple of days to forget about this one before they face Wales and Switzerland. 

Italy change

OFF Berardi

ON Bernardeschi

Italy have been superb tonight. 

Double change for Italy.

OFF Insigne & Immobile

ON Belotti & Chiesa

Turkey are all over the shop at the back. Insigne is picked out on the inside left channel and curls his effort first time into the far corner. 3-0 and Italy are home and hosed. 

INSIGNE MAKES IT 3!!!

At 2-0 up, Italy continue to dominate in what has been a complete performance by Mancini's men.

Immobile's goal is his 14th for Italy. 

Cakir saves from Spinazzola but can't keep out Immobile's rebound. 

Italy have a free-kick on the right hand side of the box. Insigne hits a dreadful cross along the ground. Turkey clear. 

Italy change:

OFF Locatelli

ON Cristante

Turkey 0-2 Italy

Immobile scores his 26th goal of the season. 

Spinazzola's shot is parried by Cakir and Immobile slots home into the far corner from close range. 

IMMOOOOOOOOBILE

Double change for Turkey

OFF Tufan & Okay

ON Ayhan & Kahveci

The game has become much more open in this second half. Italy came out all guns blazing but that space they've left in behind is now there for Turkey to exploit, if they're brave enough.

Italy are flying now and pushing for a second. Cakir pushes Locatelli's low curler out for a corner. 

This time Insigne's shot comes off Demiral but goes over the bar to the defender's delight. One own goal is enough for anyone. 

That Italy goal has been a long time coming. They deserve to go in front. 

Turkey 0-1 Italy

Berardi buys himself some space down the right, before driving a cross into the box. It comes straight off Demiral and ends up in his own net. An own goal and Italy lead. 

Under does really down the left wing before striking low to Donnarumma's near post. The angle is too tight and the big keeper is able to get down to keep it out. 

No goals so far but I can tell you that's it great to have the Euros back, one year later!

If you're only joining us now, Italy totally dominated the opening 45 minutes, but it remains 0-0.

Turkey have replaced Yazici with Under of Leicester City.

Confirmation of the Italian change. 

OFF Florenzi

ON Di Lorenzo

We're underway for the second half!

Both sides are going to make a change.

EURO 2020

Who won the last Euros and which country has the most titles?

HT: Turkey 0-0 Italy

There will be one minute of added-on time at the Stadio Olimpico. Turkey will be happy for the 15 minute break after intense focus and discipline over the past three-quarters of an hour. 

IMMOBILE! He strikes low, it's straight at Cakir again but on target this time. 0-0

Turkey have been impressively disciplined so far. They are organised but are sitting really deep with two banks of four. It's "let's play for a scoreless draw" tactics. 

The Azzurri scored 37 goals in their 10 qualification matches (3.7 per game); this was the same tally as they scored in qualification for Euro 2016 and the 2018 World Cup combined (37 goals in 22 games).

BERARDI!

Another Italian shot from distance, another poor effort. Berardi sends that one high to the left. 

He is still awake!

INSIGNE!

The Napoli forward curls an effort straight at Cakir from 20 yards. It lacks venom. 0-0

Donnarumma has been linked with a move to PSG. At 22, his career stats so far are pretty scary. 

Against the run of play, Yilmaz breaks down the left but is cross his pushed away by Donnarumma. 

Cakir clears the resulting Italian corner. Turkey are holding on here but have offered nothing going forward. This could be a long night for the Turkish fans in Rome. 

Insigne does well in the box, crosses to the near post and Turkey clear it for a corner. 

Barella!

The Inter player buries his effort over the bar from outside the box. Italy are doing their best to break the deadlock but it remains 0-0.

Turkey have been unable to keep possession for more than a few seconds against Italy's high press. 

Turkey and Italy's only previous encounter in a major tournament was at Euro 2000, also on 11th June. It was their opening game of the tournament, ending 2-1 to Italy courtesy of goals from Antonio Conte and Filippo Inzaghi, the latter of whom netted a penalty. It was also in that game that Okan Buruk scored Turkey's first ever goal in the European Championship.

It's all Italy now and Turkey are lucky to find themselves at 0-0. 

CHIELLINI!

That's the chance of the game so far! The big defender sees his bullet of a header tipped over the bar. The Italian bench thought they were winning 1-0!

Immobile strikes one off Soyuncu, it could be a handball, I've seen them given but the ref waves it on in the middle of the Italian cries for a penalty. 

Bonucci from distance!

The centre-back strikes from 30 yards, it flies left of the target. Italy are now starting to turn the screw. 

Neither keeper has been tested thus far but there are goals in both of these sides. Immobile, Yilmaz, Insigne will have packed their shooting boots. It is the latter who goes close. From 12 yards out he aims to curl one into the far right corner from the inside left channel but fails to get any whip and Turkey breathe again. 

Turkey begin to knock it about after plenty of early Azzurri play. Italian defences are famously solid so it'll take some patience from Gunes' men over the next 75+ minutes. 

Chiellini continues to take the ball out from his central defensive role. Turkey have been able to deal with the Italian pressure/possession so far. 

Turkey conceded only three goals in 10 games in the Euro 2020 qualifying campaign, the joint-best defensive record alongside Belgium.

As a result of their failure to qualify for the 2018 World Cup, it is in fact five years since the Italians featured at a major tournament.

Most of Italy's play is coming down their left through Spinazzola. It's 0-0 so far.

Turkey have set up in a 4-4-2 formation and are looking to press the experienced Italian defence as they attempt to play it out from the back.

Chiellini and Bonucci have a combined age of 70. They sit in the centre of the Italian defence in front of 22-year-old keeper Donnarumma. 

Immobile!

The Lazio striker has the first effort of the match, a tame one at that. He hits the side netting from six yards.

Roberto Mancini will be quietly confident of taking his side all the way this year, unbeaten in eight, Italy are many people's dark house. 

Senol Gunes will be hoping for a good start to Group A. He took Turkey to third place in the 2002 World Cup. 

Turkey are playing in red from left to right. Italy are in their white strip. 

Turkey get Euro 2020 underway!

Bonucci, his team-mates and the fans belt it out.

Italy get ready to sing their national anthem!

The Turkish national anthem is played first.

The players make their way onto the pitch. It's the first game of Euro 2020. Here we are one year later!

Italy's starting XI

Turkey's XI

The teams are in the tunnel!

Well that was fantastic! What a way to start the tournament. It's Turkey vs Italy in just over 10 minutes but before then we have some Bono, not the Sevilla keeper, U2's Bono.

Bocelli is all alone in the centre of the pitch as millions of Italians from around the country get their pre-match goosebumps. I must admit, I have them myself!

Global music icon Andrea Bocelli is here and he will sing Puccini’s ‘Nessun Dorma’.

The view from the helicopter above the Stadio Olimpico is something else with a mix of firework colour and smoke.

There are also plenty of fireworks on display!

The opening ceremony has plenty of giant coloured plastic balls, each representing the 24 nations involved at Euro 2020.

With the use of state-of-the-art technology, a virtual performance will give centre stage to Martin Garrix, Bono and The Edge. As UEFA announced, ‘the collaboration of the U2 rock legends and one of the world’s biggest DJs/producers on the Official Song of UEFA EURO 2020 has extended to a digital recreation of the Olimpico which will see the three artists come together for a celebratory performance of We Are The People.’

And now for the Euro 2020 opening ceremony!

Ciro Immobile

If Italy are to challenge for this year's trophy, they will be looking to the Lazio man for goals. 

Stats via BeSoccer

Burak Yilmaz

Stats via BeSoccer

EURO 2020

Italy team squad Euro 2021: which players have been selected?

The Italian national team coach Roberto Mancini has named his 26-player squad for Euro 2020, including Sassuolo 21-year old striker Giacomo Raspadori, while Gianluca Mancini, Matteo Pessina, and Matteo Politano were taken off the final list.

Full squad list

Italy on an 8-game unbeaten run

Chiellini keen to bounce back

And he is determined to exorcise the ghosts of that disappointment by putting on a strong showing at the Euros.

"We are very keen to bounce back and play a starring role in a major competition," he said.

"That defeat to Sweden at San Siro is still with us and we can't erase that, but we have been able to transform that disappointment into enthusiasm and a desire to do well.

"That feeling is not just in us but with all the national team fans. You wouldn't believe how many friends and family are galvanised by the national team, waiting for this game that has been missing for five years. We are aware of that and can't wait to get out there and experience those emotions."

Tonight's starting XIs

Mancini sets semi-final target for Italy at Euro 2020

Roberto Mancini struck a confident note as he set his Italy team the target of a semi-final berth on the eve of the European Championship.

The Azzurri will contest the very first game of the tournament when they face Turkey at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome on Friday.

As a result of their failure to qualify for the 2018 World Cup, it is in fact five years since the Italians featured at a major tournament.

But, having avoided defeat in their last 27 outings, Italy are among the favourites to go all the way at the tournament.

"The opening match is the hardest one, above all at the start of the tournament. We have to be free and try to have fun, that should be the aim.

"I was confident three years ago and I am more confident now. We have worked very well, we have excellent players and have forged a great team spirit.

"We have been working together for a long while and have enjoyed ourselves and want to go on enjoying ourselves. Come the end of the tournament we would love to make it to London."

Full story

Warm-ups begin

Both sets of players are now out on the pitch, warming up ahead of this Group A clash. Kick-off gets underway in just over 45 minutes time. 

Fans in Stadio Olimpico

We're watching the images of the fans in Rome's Stadio Olimpico. It's a wonderful sight after the past year or so. The Turkish fans join the Italians in their home country. 

Players to watch

Italy – Jorginho

While he will not necessarily be the man tasked with putting the ball in the net, unless Italy get a penalty, Jorginho performs a crucial function for Italy. He was one of three players to record over 1,000 touches in qualifying and his role as a conduit in possession is essential to how Mancini's team play. If he has a difficult game, the chances are the Azzurri will struggle by extension.

Turkey – Hakan Calhanoglu

Although Italy will be favourites here, Turkey should not be underestimated. Possessing the youngest squad at the Euros, they are a vibrant and technically gifted bunch. Arguably encapsulating those traits better than anyone else in the team is Calhanoglu. The Milan midfielder offers almost guaranteed creativity, as evidenced by the fact he created the most chances in Serie A (98) in 2020-21, while his nine assists came from an xA (expected assists) value of 8.5, suggesting his haul was born out of consistency rather than luck.

Photo by Claudio Villa/Getty Images

Turkey-Italy head-to-head

In the previous 10 meetings between the countries, Italy have won 7 and drawn 3.

The two most recent meetings between the sides ended in 1-1 draws, although the most recent fixture was back in 2006

Turkey XI vs Italy

Italy announce their starting XI

Opening ceremony

Kick-off is in just over an hour's time but coming up in the next few minutes is the Euro 2020 opening ceremony at Rome's Stadio Olimpico. We'll also have the team news.

Manager's view

Turkey manager Senol Gunes echoed Calhanoglu's wish to meet Italy in the final.

"It will be a source of pride for us to beat Italy in the first game. We are not one of the favourites of the tournament as we arrive here but we would love to become a favourite," Gunes said.

"I would love to reach the final and play it against Italy."

Gunes is looking to repeat the success of Turkey's 2002 World Cup campaign when he led them to an unexpected third-place finish.

"Our journey in international football really started with the 2002 World Cup semi-finals and everyone would love to win, but I'm sure we will continue to learn from this tournament," he said.

Photo: AFP

EURO 2020

Turkey vs Italy match preview

Turkey midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu and his coach Senol Gunes said before their opening Euro 2020 game against Italy that they hoped to progress from Group A with the Italians and face them again in the final.

Calhanoglu, who plays for AC Milan, said all the Turkey players were excited about playing in the tournament's opening game in Rome on Friday.

"It's a special match for all of us but especially for me because I will be playing against my team-mates. We have been looking forward to this game for a long time and we hope to get at least one point," he told a news conference on Thursday.

Full story & video

Turkey

Turkey cruised to Euro 2020 qualification thanks to a solid defence that only conceded three goals in 10 games. They have a young squad in this year's tournament but have some talented players in the team, and could surprise many this summer. 

In Kabak, Demiral and Soyuncu, Turkey do have defensive quality.

Playmaker Yazici and Lille's 35-year-old striker Burak Yilmaz give them confidence going forward. In Italy, Hakan Calhanoglu has been very impressive at AC Milan and will be one the Italian players will be familiar with. 

Euro 2020 opening ceremony

The opening ceremony for the covid-19-delayed Euros is taking place in the famous Stadio Olympico in Rome, a 70,000-seater stadium that will be approximately 25% full given the health protocols. What a venue to get things going in what is a unique edition of the tournament, given that matches are being played in 11 host cities.

The ceremony begins at 8 pm local time (CEST) which is an hour before the Group A clash begins. 

Yilmaz vs Immobile

GROUP A

Italy

Turkey

Wales

Switzerland

Italy looking to Olimpico record to end Euros drought

Italy will hope their excellent record at the Stadio Olimpico can propel them towards Euro 2020 glory in Roberto Mancini's first tournament as coach, with a tricky test against Turkey first up for the competition's curtain-raiser on Friday.

It has been all change for Italy since their failure to qualify for the 2018 World Cup, with Mancini installed as Gian Piero Ventura's replacement and tasked with restoring the Azzurri's reputation.

What they hope will help is the fact all three of their group games – and a quarter-final – will be played at Rome's Stadio Olimpico, where they have never lost (W6 2D) in eight matches at major tournaments, while the Azzurri were one of just two teams along with Belgium to win all of their 10 qualifiers.

Of course, Italy wrapped up their qualifying campaign almost two years ago, with these finals pushed back 12 months because of the coronavirus pandemic, and Mancini has vowed to do the country proud after a difficult time as they look to claim a first European Championship since 1968.

Full story

EURO 2020

Euro 2021 opening ceremony: artists performing, times, TV, how to watch

The 2020 European Championship is almost with us. Friday 11 June 2021 will see Italy face Turkey in the opening fixture of the tournament, one that concludes with the final on 11 July. But before a ball is kicked, we have an opening ceremony to enjoy.

Read on to find out all you need to know about the virtual performances that will get UEFA Euro 2020 officially started.

Group A: Turkey vs Italy

EURO2020

Who is playing at Euro 2021 today? 11 June: games, times, TV, schedule

Euro 2020 is finally here! Italy will be hosting Turkey at Stadio Olimpico in the first match of the competition after a year-long delay due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The four-time world champions, currently on an eight-game winning streak -including pre-tournament friendlies - will try to take advantage of playing on home soil and will look to use their experience to beat Senol Günes’ men, the youngest squad in the tournament, with an average age of just under 25 years old.

Read more

Turkey vs Italy live: welcome

Hello and welcome to AS English's live coverage of this Euro 2020 opener as Turkey and Italy go head to head in Group A and the first game of the tournament in Rome's Stadio Olimpico. Kick-off is at 21:00 CEST.