It wasn't exactly the start Merih Demiral and Turkey wanted at Euro 2020.
The team was embroiled in a cagey tournament opener against Italy in Rome on Friday, with Turkey stubbornly not allowing many good looks at goal through the first half. The second half started the same way, with Turkey sitting in a defensive shell while the Italians looked for a way through.
Things changed in the 53rd minute as Domenico Berardi drove into the opposition area and fired a right-footed cross that Demiral deflected with authority into his own team's net.
The goal gave a dominant Italian side the opening it needed, and the Azzurri doubled their lead in the 66th minute through Ciro Immobile. Lorenzo Insigne added another goal late as Italy romped to a 3-0 victory.