Wales qualified for the round of 16 despite losing their final Euro 2020 group game 1-0 to Italy, with Ethan Ampadu seeing red early in the second half.
The Azzurri made eight changes from the side that defeated Switzerland 3-0 last time out but showed few signs of rustiness. After dominating from the outset, they opened the scoring just before the break with Matteo Pessina flicking home Marco Verratti's free kick at the front post.
Early in the second half Wales' hopes of a comeback were dealt a hammerblow when Ethan Ampadu was shown a harsh red card for a late challenge on Federico Bernardeschi.
After the sending off the game petered out. Wales went close to grabbing an equaliser at the end with Gareth Bale blazing a good chance over from inside the box. Wales will now face the Group B runner-up in the round of 16, which is likely to be either Finland, Russia or Denmark.
Here is how each set of players rated in Rome...
ITALY PLAYER RATINGS
1. Goalkeeper & defenders
Bastoni replaced Giorgio Chiellini in the backline | Ryan Pierse/Getty Images
Gianluigi Donnarumma (GK) - 6/10 - A straightforward shift. Distribution was good.
Rafael Toloi (RB) - 7/10 - Solid as a rock. Did not offer his side enough in the final third to stake his claim for selection in the round of 16.
Leonardo Bonucci (CB) - 7/10 - Put in a flawless defensive display before being taken off at half-time. It was not an injury, thankfully for Italy.
Alessandro Bastoni (CB) - 8/10 - Did not give Gareth Bale an inch, which limited Wales' effectiveness. Has now given Roberto Mancini something to think about with Giorgio Chiellini likely fit again for the round of 16.
Emerson (LB) - 6/10 - Pushed forward menacingly in the first half. Tailed off a bit after that. Again, he did not do quite enough to displace Leonardo Spinazzola in the first team.
2. Midfielders
Pessina really enjoyed his goal | Quality Sport Images/Getty Images
Jorginho (CM) - 8/10 - Excellent. Kept Italy ticking over and never looked like making a mistake.
Matteo Pessina (CM) - 7/10 - Finished superbly for the goal and went close soon after. Provided Italy's midfield with legs and bite.
Marco Verratti (CM) - 8/10 - Ran the game on his return from injury. Set up the goal with an excellent free kick. It really is not fair that Italy have this many top class midfielders.
3. Forwards
Chiesa had a great game | Ryan Pierse/Getty Images
Federico Chiesa (RW) - 7/10 - A constant thorn in Wales' side. He exploited gaps in Wales' back three superbly and was unlucky not to score.
Andrea Belotti (ST) - 7/10 - Made the goalkeeper work with a few half-chances before the break. His first touch and hold-up play were excellent.
Federico Bernardeschi (LW) - 7/10 - A beacon of creativity. Also struck the post with a terrific long-range free kick in the second half.
4. Substitutes
Acerbi looked rusty | Alberto Lingria - Pool/Getty Images
Francesco Acerbi - 5/10 - Italy looked less solid after he came on. He made one terrible error which might have been punished on another day.
Bryan Cristante - 6/10 - Neat and tidy shift.
Giacomo Raspadori - 6/10 - Great to see him get his debut after having such a great season.
Gaetano Castrovilli - N/A
Salvatore Sirigu - N/A
WALES PLAYER RATINGS
5. Goalkeeper & defenders
The foul that got Ampadu sent off | Ryan Pierse/Getty Images
Danny Ward (GK) - 6/10 - Made a few decent stops. A few shaky moments though, particularly with the ball at his feet.
Joe Rodon (CB) - 7/10 - Saved the day with a few massive interventions in the first half. Also set up Wales' best chance near the end with a towering header.
Ethan Ampadu (CB) - 5/10 - Dropped into midfield when his side were in possession. He was fairly solid before being shown a very harsh red card.
Chris Gunter (CB) - 6/10 - Came heartbreakingly close to his first Wales goal on his 102nd appearance for his country. Chiesa exploited the space between him and Williams.
6. Wing-backs & Midfielders
Williams had a tough game | Alberto Lingria - Pool/Getty Images
Connor Roberts (RM) - 5/10 - Occasionally clumsy in possession. Italy kept him penned back in his own half so his attacking output was minimal.
Joe Morrell (CM) - 4/10 - Poor. Gave the ball away cheaply on multiple occasions and also lost Pessina for the first goal.
Joe Allen (CM) - 5/10 - He struggled to impose himself against Italy's excellent midfield. Looked off the pace and committed three fouls.
Neco Williams (LM) - 5/10 - Some promising moments going forward. Chiesa gave him a challenging game defensively and he was often exposed.
7. Forwards
Bale was closely marked throughout | Alberto Lingria - Pool/Getty Images
Gareth Bale (RW) - 5/10 - Marked out of the game. Italy's game plan was clearly to prevent him settling and they executed it well. Spurned a huge chance in the second half.
Aaron Ramsey (ST) - 5/10 - Used as a false nine with big Kieffer Moore dropped to the bench. Made some intelligent runs but first touch was sometimes lacking.
Daniel James (LW) - 6/10 - Not given many chances to break. When he did, he made the most of his opportunities.
8. Substitutes
Moore will likely return to the starting XI in the round of 16 | Alberto Lingria - Pool/Getty Images
Kieffer Moore - 7/10 - Gave Wales a much-needed focal point as they chased the game.
Harry Wilson - 6/10 - Quiet.
Dylan Levitt - N/A
Ben Davies - N/A
David Brooks - N/A
Source : 90min