Back to the Top News Newsfeed

Italy Opens Euros With a Vengeance Against Overmatched Turkey

The most striking aspect of the opening game of Euro 2020 was how one-sided it was. What had been billed as a battle between a giant on the rise again and an insurgent force became almost a walkover. The question was whether this was Italy playing very well or Turkey playing very badly, and that is something that will probably only become apparent as the tournament goes on.

Italy had failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup for the first time in 60 years, but improved sufficiently under Roberto Mancini to win every game in Euro qualifying for the first time.