Rome (AFP)

Italy, with Marco Verratti back in a reshaped team, pulled off the card with a third victory Sunday in Rome against Wales (1-0), reduced to ten in the second half but despite everything also qualified for the eighths.

Roberto Mancini made Italian football history by tying an unbeaten record over 80 years old: 30 matches without defeat (25 wins, 5 draws), like his distant predecessor Vittoro Pozzo between 1935 and 1939.

In view of the thunderous debut of his team, we imagine that the undefeated coach since September 2018 does not intend to stop there.

And will want to do better from the round of 16 awaiting Italy at Wembley, against the second in Group C (Ukraine or Austria).

"The record? It's nice but the most important thing is that we changed eight players and the team continued to play well," said Roberto Mancini at a press conference.

The Welsh, semi-finalists of the Euro in 2016, finish them second in group A - "the essential", rejoiced captain Gareth Bale - after having to do the round back to ten for 35 minutes:

To those in Italy who thought they had to let the Welsh win in order to finish second and hope for a more affordable second phase, these enthusiastic Azzurri showed that this was no longer their style.

They stayed true to their start to the tournament - enthusiasm and high pressing - for their last Euro match at the Olimpico where the 400 Welshmen struggled to be heard.

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- Decisive Verratti -

Same desire with a team yet very largely reworked by Roberto Mancini, with three-quarters of the team changed and above all a notable ghost: Verratti, recovered from his right knee injury.

The midfielder of PSG, in the stands during the first two matches, was watched like milk on fire by the Welsh.

But that did not prevent "Little Owl" from being decisive, on a free kick, on the Italian goal: he deposited at the near post a ball delicately extended by Matteo Pessina (39th).

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"It was Toloi who was to attack at the near post, but he told me go for it!" Said the midfielder of Atalanta, all smiles.

Pessina was originally only the 27th Italian, drafted due to Stefano Sensi's withdrawal.

More than another, it symbolizes the generosity of this Italian workforce where Mancini keeps repeating that he has "26 holders".

The Italian advantage at the break was deserved, as they held the ball and varied their approaches.

Even if they put a little less intensity there than in the first two matches, with a higher temperature and a qualification in the pocket.

- Ramsey and Bale mess up -

The "substitute" attacking trio was also less successful: Andrea Belotti missed the frame (34th);

Federico Chiesa, very active, also narrowly missed (29th);

and Federico Brenardeschi sent a free kick to the post (53rd).

Wales, who needed a point to ensure their qualification without depending on the result of Switzerland, had difficulty worrying Gianluigi Donnarumma, not unhappy to see a header from Chris Gunter grazing his skylight (27th).

Aaron Ramsey then wasted a great opportunity on one of the rare Italian defensive errors (54th).

Just before Ethan Ampadu leaves the Dragons to ten, excluded for a dangerous intervention (55th).

This did not prevent Gareth Bale from also having a nice equalizer, but his volley flew into the Olimpico (75th), allowing Italy to complete an eleventh consecutive game without taking any goals despite an experimental defense.

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Until the end, the Welsh were mostly reduced to hope that the Swiss do not catch up in the goal difference in the other match, and to defend as best they can, ten.

Their goalkeeper came out in front of Belotti (65th) the miracle he needed and their supporters blow at the final whistle: "Never underestimate the Welsh!", Proclaimed, delighted their coach Robert Page, whose "turn of" Europe "started in Baku will now take the direction of Amsterdam.

© 2021 AFP