With a well-earned 2-0 victory against Italy in Berlin, Switzerland eliminated the reigning champions from Euro 2024 and advanced to a potential quarterfinal matchup with England.
In an attempt to find anything, Luciano Spalletti had switched six players in the Italy starting lineup, but Switzerland was clearly superior from the start. Even before Remo Freuler’s opening shot, Breel Embolo was on the verge of making the breakthrough.
Before taking a well-earned lead when the Nottingham Forest midfielder met Ruben Vargas’ centre, Switzerland had 65% of the ball and eight of the first nine shots on goal. At Euro 2024, he scored for his team for the sixth time.
Just twenty-seven seconds after the restart, Vargas moved up to seventh. Italy gave up the ball after losing possession of their own kickoff, and the winger on the edge of the penalty box curled the ball past Gianluigi Donnarumma and into the upper corner.
The only time Italy came close to answering was when Fabian Schar struck his own crossbar with his header. Their time as Europe’s champions is finished. Next weekend in Dusseldorf, Switzerland will play Slovakia or England in the remaining stages of their bid.
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