In a surprising upset at the UEFA Euro 2024, Switzerland eliminated defending champions Italy in the round of 16.
Switzerland defeated Italy
Switzerland defeated Italy 2-0 in the June 29, 2024, match played at Berlin’s Olympiastadion.
It was Switzerland’s first victory over Italy in thirty-one years.
Ruben Vargas and Remo Freuler’s goals
Ruben Vargas and Remo Freuler’s goals secured the defeat of Luciano Spalletti’s Azzurri team, who had trouble winning the entire match.
From the beginning of the game, Switzerland dominated possession, shots, assaults, and passes.
Ruben Vargas’ incredible goal just one minute into the second half followed Remo Freuler’s masterful goal that opened the score in the 37th minute.
Italian defense disjointed
The Italian defense seemed unprepared and disjointed, which gave the Swiss the advantage.
Italy was unable to create a significant comeback despite a few near misses, with Gianluca Scamacca hitting the post in the 74th minute.
Poor passing and decision-making hampered their performance, which allowed Switzerland to keep the upper hand.
“We weren’t very incisive, and that goal at the start of the second half cut our legs,” Italy’s coach Luciano Spalletti said following the match. “What made the difference is the pace; we had a pace that was too inferior to them in the first half.”
Switzerland advances in quarterfinals
With the win, Switzerland advances to the quarterfinals, where on July 6 in Düsseldorf, they will play either Slovakia or England.
The team’s joy was echoed by Swiss midfielder Fabian Riedler, who said, “We showed from the first second that we really wanted to win this game.” The spirit is amazing. Everyone is content. Everyone makes a run for the other.
With Portugal in 2021 and Spain in 2016, this setback is the third straight Euro in which the winner has been ousted in the round of 16.
It caused Italian supporters to lament a ‘appalling performance’ that saw their team depart the competition early, while Swiss supporters celebrated their country’s historic victory.
