Euro 2020: How Italy Stole the Show in Group A and Wales Stunned All
Group A’s Worst Moment – Italy’s Giorgio Chiellini’s injury
Giorgio Chiellini’s injury. In a remarkable double-whammy, Chiellini had a goal disallowed against Switzerland and, shortly after, limped off with an injury. The defender, 36, is in the twilight years of his career.
A career punctuated by silverware he won for his club, Juventus, but never for his national team. Despite making his debut for the Azzurri in 2004, Chiellini was not a part of the group which lifted the World Cup two years later.
One can’t help but hope that the veteran returns to make another appearance at this Euro, which is destined to be his last. When the tournament returns in three years, Chiellini will be 39.
It is hard to imagine him leading the unbreachable Azzurri defense then, although an appearance at the World Cup next year can’t be ruled out just yet.
Surprise Factor
Wales. When they qualified for the knockout stage in 2016, many saw it as a once-in-a-lifetime achievement. The fact that they have done it again is a delightful surprise.
Whether you’ve supported us from home, or travelled to Baku or Rome. We have one thing to say to #TheRedWall.
— Wales 🏴 (@Cymru) June 20, 2021
DIOLCH ❤️🏴
Anything is possible when you believe in Cymru.#WAL | #EURO2020 | #TogetherStronger pic.twitter.com/QNn3spVAPe
The Welsh camp was thrown in disarray just ahead of the tournament.
Head coach Ryan Giggs was removed from the helm due to an ongoing trial, star players Bale and Ramsey had diminished since the last tournament, and to top it all, they were drawn in a difficult group against some of Europe’s more prominent footballing nations.
In light of all that, their qualification to the knockouts of Euro 2020 is all the more impressive.
How bad was the fourth-placed team?
Pretty-bad. Senol Gunes’ Turkey were thought of as the Dark Horses of the tournament.
They had conceded just thrice throughout the qualification process and beat the Netherlands 4-2 on the brink of the tournament opener.
Yet, they turned out to be huge disappointments for those at home and those hoping for a repeat of the 2002 World Cup.
Turkey scored just once – a stunner from Irfan Kahveci against Switzerland – and conceded eight times.
They finished the group with no points, and barring few phases against the Swiss, were a disappointing watch.