Advertisement

'What a disgrace': Fans erupt over 'disgusting' moment at Euro 2020

sam goodwin
Sports Editor
·4-min read
Ethan Ampadu, pictured here leaving the field in tears after his straight red card against Italy.
Ethan Ampadu left the field in tears after his straight red card against Italy. Image: Getty

Ethan Ampadu left the field in tears at Euro 2020 on Sunday after becoming the youngest player in European Championship history to receive a straight red card.

Wales reached the last 16 despite losing 1-0 to Italy in Rome and having defender Ampadu sent off in questionable fashion.

'CAN'T BELIEVE IT': World erupts over 'insane' scenes at Euro 2020

'NEVER SEEN THAT': Disbelief at 'ridiculous' anomaly at Euro 2020

Gareth Bale and his Welsh teammates went down to an impressive Italy side at the Stadio Olimpico, with Matteo Pessina scoring the only goal.

A victory for Roberto Mancini's second-stringers on Sunday extended Italy's unbeaten streak to 30 matches - matching a national record - after Pessina's goal late in the first half when he redirected a free kick neatly from Marco Verratti.

Wales' task got even more difficult when 20-year-old Ampadu became the youngest player in the tournament's history to be sent off.

Ampadu was shown a straight red card for stepping on Federico Bernardeschi's foot in a late challenge 10 minutes into the second half.

"I thought it was harsh decision," said Wales coach Robert Page after the match.

Many fans and pundits agreed with Page, however others were convinced it did deserve a straight red.

Wales progress to last 16 despite loss

Wales couldn't get an equaliser but the result was enough for them to qualify in second place in Group A on goal difference ahead of Switzerland, who defeated Turkey 3-1 in Baku.

"We wanted to get a result but main thing is we finished second," Bale told British broadcaster ITV.

Wales finished with a goal difference advantage of two over Switzerland.

"We've got a bit of a break now, so we can patch everyone up and get going again," Bale added.

Italy, who won their opening two matches 3-0, finished Group A with a perfect nine points.

Chasing only their second European title, Italy will play the second-placed team from Group C at Wembley next Saturday, while Wales will play the second-placed team from Group B in Amsterdam.

Ethan Ampadu, pictured here after his red card for a challenge on Federico Bernardeschi.
Ethan Ampadu looks dejected after his red card for a challenge on Federico Bernardeschi. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

The Azzurri, who have now won 11-straight games without conceding, won 30-straight under coaching great Vittorio Pozzo from 1935-39 with a team that had just won a second consecutive World Cup.

It's been a remarkable turnaround for this Italy squad, which failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup.

"We don't feel any pressure, we're just enjoying playing and representing our nation," said Italy midfielder Marco Verratti.

Switzerland face an agonising wait to see if they will go through as one of the best third-placed teams but they stand a decent chance after Xherdan Shaqiri inspired their victory in Baku.

Haris Seferovic gave Switzerland the lead and Shaqiri added two superb finishes of his own either side of Irfan Can Kahveci's consolation for Turkey.

Turkey go home without a point to their name, and will go down as one of the big disappointments of this Euro.

The last round of group action continues on Monday when Ukraine and Austria meet in Bucharest in a shoot-out to see who finishes second in Group C behind the Netherlands.

The Dutch, European champions in 1988, have already won the group before hosting already-eliminated North Macedonia in Amsterdam.

with agencies

Click here to sign up to our newsletter for all the latest and breaking stories from Australia and around the world.