Switzerland stun holders Italy to reach Euro 2024 quarters
29th June 2024
The win saw Switzerland qualify for the quarterfinals for only the second time in their history.
![Switzerland celebrate after beating Italy. PHOTO| AFP](https://www.sportpesanews.com/images/large/switzerland_celebrate_after_beating_italy__photo__afp_4f647584e9.jpg)
- Murat Yakin's supremely well-drilled side outplayed the flat two-time winners in the last 16 clash.
- Ruben Vargas teed up Remo Freuler for Switzerland's 37th-minute opener before curling home superbly himself right at the start of the second half to deservedly double their lead.
- They will face England or Slovakia in the next round.
Switzerland dumped reigning champions Italy out of Euro 2024
with a stunning 2-0 victory on Saturday to reach the quarterfinals for the
second time in their history.
Murat Yakin's supremely well-drilled side outplayed the flat
two-time winners in the last 16 clash in Berlin and will face England or
Slovakia in the next round.
Ruben Vargas teed up Remo Freuler for Switzerland's 37th-minute
opener before curling home superbly himself right at the start of the second
half to deservedly double their lead.
A new-look Italy, short on star power and without many of
the key figures that led them to Euro 2020 glory, offered little in response to
Switzerland's energetic display.
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"It hurts, it really hurts," said Italy's captain
and goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma.
"We can only say sorry to everyone, we were
disappointing today and they deserved to win. We struggled all game long."
Former Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka, arriving at the
Euros after a stunning season with German champions Bayer Leverkusen, pulled
the strings as the Swiss rarely looked like letting the lead slip away.
"I'm at a loss for words, it was the most important
game of my career," said Swiss midfielder Fabian Rieder.
"Everyone played for each other, we worked well in
defence and attack... we have an incredibly great team. We want to enjoy the
moment now but keep working hard for the next game."
Italy coach Luciano Spalletti dropped Jorginho after his
worrying group stage performances, bringing in Nicolo Fagioli in defensive
midfield among a hefty six changes which failed to bring the Azzurri to life.
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Spalletti said the second goal had knocked the stuffing out
of his side and their limitations had been exposed.
"Right now, for too many reasons, we are unable to do
anything more than this," he said.
Spalletti had called on his team to improve in the knock-out
rounds after they scraped into the Last 16 with a last gasp equaliser in the
1-1 draw with Croatia.
However, it was Switzerland who grew in confidence and
pulled off their best display yet at the Olympiastadion in a sweltering Berlin,
where a far more impressive Italy won the 2006 World Cup.
Former goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, now Italy's delegation
head, has been regaling the squad with stories from that triumph but it did not
inspire a convincing performance - apart from by his modern day counterpart,
Donnarumma.
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The Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper, key in Italy's Euro 2020
conquest, made a fine save to thwart Breel Embolo midway through the first half
as Switzerland created the first real chance by playing him through.
Donnarumma could not stop Freuler from firing Switzerland
ahead after 37 minutes when the midfielder controlled Vargas' low cross and
drilled home at the near post.
Switzerland kept the ball for well over a minute in the
build-up, stringing together 33 passes before Freuler, who plays for Serie A
side Bologna, applied the finishing touch.
Donnarumma produced a fine save to tip Rieder's free-kick on
to the post before the break as the Swiss sought to equal their best ever
performance at the last Euros by reaching the last eight.
Hosts Germany needed a late leveller to avoid defeat against
the Swiss in the group phase, while in the previous edition they knocked out
much fancied France in the last 16, so Italy cannot say they were not warned.
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Spalletti hooked Stephan El Shaarawy at half-time for
Zaccagni, but Italy gave the ball away from the kick-off and Switzerland
doubled their lead just 27 seconds into the second period.
Augsburg midfielder Vargas, who started in place of the
suspended Silvan Widmer but on the left of the attack, broke into the area and
arced a superb curling shot over Donnarumma.
The closest Italy came to scoring was when Swiss defender
Fabian Schar misjudged a header and hit the frame of his own goal.
The near-invisible Gianluca Scamacca also hit the post from
close range but appeared to be offside.
The sides drew twice in World Cup 2022 qualification with the Azzurri failing to make the tournament but went one better in Germany, securing their first win against Italy since 1993, after 11 without victory.
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