Football EM 2021: Own goal and goalkeeper mistake

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Ciro Immobile made it 2-0

Photo:

Ettore Ferrari / AP

The Italian national team won the opening game of the European Football Championship against Turkey 3-0 (0-0). The Turkish defender Mehri Demiral steered a cross from Domenico Berardi into his own goal (53rd minute), Ciro Immobile dusted off from close range (66th), Lorenzo Insigne set the final point (79th). In front of 17,659 spectators in the Roman Olympic Stadium, Italy was the significantly better team, and Roberto Mancini's team consolidated its status as one of the favorites for the European Championship with its performance.

The game started tough: Turkey left the ball to the Italians and tried to narrow the spaces deep in their own half.

Insigne put a first flick past the goal on the right (17th), goalkeeper Uğurcan Çakır saved against a header from Giorgio Chiellini, who had brought the ball on goal after a corner (21st).

Even more than the scoring chances, several alleged hand games by the Turkish defensive caused excitement, but the Dutch referee Danny Makkelie allowed Çağlar Söyüncüs (21st) and Zeki Çeliks (45th) actions to continue.

Söyüncü had his arm on his body, Çelik had been shot from close range.

Despite zero to 14 deals, Turkey saved itself harmlessly in the break.

But the 0-0 win did not last long after the restart: A sharp cross from right winger Domenico Berardi faked Demiral into his own goal (53rd).

Turkey now had to take more risks, the Italians used the new space: Çakır blocked a shot from Leonardo Spinazzola, Immobile was right and pushed the rebound from five meters (66th).

At 0: 3, Çakır helped even more, after a bad pass in the setup, the Italians quickly played their way in front of the Turkish goal and scored again through Insigne.

The Italians will continue in Group A against Switzerland on Wednesday, Turkey will then face Wales.

The two group opponents will play their first game against each other on Saturday (3 p.m., stream: Magenta TV, live ticker: SPIEGEL.de).

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