Switzerland defeat Italy to advance to the quarter-final round of Euro 2024.
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The defending European champions, Italy have been eliminated from Euro 2024 following a surprising 2-0 defeat to Switzerland in Berlin.
From the outset, the Swiss were in control. They dominated possession, pressed aggressively, and frequently regained the ball in Italy’s half. Despite their dominance, it took 24 minutes for Breel Embolo to force Gianluigi Donnarumma into making the first save.
Once the deadlock was broken, Remo Freuler made a deep run to collect the ball and fired it past the goalkeeper from inside the box, Switzerland never looked back.
Ruben Vargas scored a crucial second goal just 27 seconds into the second half with a curling shot. With Granit Xhaka commanding the midfield, Switzerland prevented Italy from gaining any traction to stage a comeback.
While the Swiss defended effectively, the Italians made their task easier with sloppy passing and poor decision-making, frequently losing possession in central areas and lacking energy in their pressing as they faced elimination.
They should have taken the lead in the 24th minute when Breel Embolo was put through, but his effort to outwait Gianluigi Donnarumma failed, and the Italian goalkeeper easily parried his curled shot.
It was an early sign of things to come, as the Italians struggled to maintain possession in the first half, with even the simplest passes frequently finding a Swiss player instead of a teammate.
The only bright spot for Italy was Stephan El Shaarawy, who had a golden opportunity in the 26th minute with a characteristic jinking run. Despite skillfully maneuvering the ball onto his right foot, his shot was blocked for a corner. Surprisingly, he was substituted at halftime.
Looking much more like the defending champions than their sluggish opponents, Switzerland’s breakthrough came in the 37th minute with a brilliantly executed goal that dismantled the Italian defense.
Michel Aebischer moved into the center of the pitch, creating space on the left for Vargas. Although his precise pass challenged Freuler’s first touch, the midfielder smashed the ball home, giving his team the lead at halftime.
Whatever Spalletti said during the break failed to inspire his players, as they conceded a second goal within a minute. Italy’s sluggish, flat-footed defense stood by as Vargas curled a stunning shot into the top corner.
The Swiss nearly handed Italy a lifeline in the 51st minute when Fabian Schaer’s glancing defensive header wrong-footed his own keeper, Yann Sommer, who could only watch as the ball bounced off the far post before being cleared.
As time ticked away, the Italian players appeared paralyzed by the resolute Swiss defense, resorting to speculative long-range shots that barely tested Sommer.
The woodwork thwarted Italy again in the 74th minute when Gianluca Scammacca scuffed a shot onto the near post from close range. This was the closest Italy came to scoring, and their fans began leaving the stands well before the final whistle, with those remaining in their seats stunned by their team’s lackluster performance.