Matteo Pessina scored the only goal of the game as Italy beat Wales ©Getty Images

Wales qualified for the last 16 despite defeat to Italy as Switzerland kept alive their hopes of reaching the next round with victory over Turkey at the UEFA European Championship.

A first-half goal from Matteo Pessina was enough to give Italy a 1-0 win over Wales at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome to ensure they completed the group stage with a 100 per cent record.

Wales clung on to second place in Group A ahead of Switzerland, whose 3-1 triumph against a hapless Turkey at the Olympic Stadium in Baku boosted their chances of securing a spot in the last 16 as one of the four best third-place finishers.

Switzerland now face an agonising wait to see if they will join Italy, who topped the group on nine points, and Wales in the knockout phase.

Italy will play the team which comes second in Group C at Wembley Stadium in London on Saturday (June 26), with Wales facing the second-placed nation in Group B at Johan Cruyff Arena in Amsterdam on the same day.

Xherdan Shaqiri's brace helped Switzerland to a 3-1 victory over Italy ©Getty Images
Xherdan Shaqiri's brace helped Switzerland to a 3-1 victory over Italy ©Getty Images

Pessina scored the only goal of Italy's clash with Wales after 39 minutes, neatly turning home Marco Verratti's free-kick.

Wales' task was made harder early in the second half when Ethan Ampadu was given a straight red card for a foul on Federico Bernardeschi.

The Euro 2016 semi-finalists remained resolute in the face of constant Italian pressure to scrape through in second place on goal difference.

A five-goal swing in favour of Switzerland would have seen them leapfrog Wales into second - and they nearly managed it after easing past Turkey in the Azerbaijan capital.

Switzerland, needing a win to stand any chance of progressing, opened the scoring after six minutes through Haris Seferovic.

Xherdan Shaqiri doubled their lead with a superb effort from outside the area 20 minutes later, before Irfan Can Kahveci's long-range strike in the second half gave Turkey their first goal of the tournament and hope of an unlikely comeback.

Shaqiri scored again shortly after to restore their two-goal advantage and give them a strong chance of qualification for the last 16.

Groups B and C are due to reach their conclusion tomorrow.

In Group B, Finland play Belgium in St Petersburg and Denmark host Russia in Copenhagen.

Ukraine entertain Austria in Bucharest and North Macedonia travel to Amsterdam to take on The Netherlands, who are guaranteed a place in the knockout round, in Group C.