Soccer-Locatelli brace eases Italy into Euro 2020 knockouts

Soccer Football - Euro 2020 - Group A - Italy v Switzerland - Stadio Olimpico, Rome, Italy - June 16, 2021 Italy's Manuel Locatelli applauds fans after he comes off as a substitute Pool via REUTERS/Riccardo Antimiani

ROME (Reuters) -Manuel Locatelli bagged a brace of goals for the first time in his career as imperious Italy defeated Switzerland 3-0 at the Stadio Olimpico on Wednesday to become the first side into the last-16 of Euro 2020.

Midfielder Locatelli started and finished the move from which he opened the scoring, netting from close range following Sassuolo team mate Domenico Berardi's excellent run down the right wing. He then rifled a shot into the bottom corner of the net from the edge of the box early in the second half.