Reigning European champions Italy were dumped out of EURO 2024 by Switzerland at the last 16 stage, as the impressive Swiss side swarmed all over the Azzurri to win 2-0 in Berlin.
The holders went out of EURO 2024 with a whimper.
[ MORE: EURO 2024 schedule ]
Remo Freuler gave Switzerland a deserved first half lead, while Ruben Vargas scored just 27 seconds into the second half to put Italy under serious pressure.
Fabian Schar hit the ball against his own post and Gianluca Scamacca hit the post too, but that was as close as an extremely lackluster Italy got to pulling a goal back. Murat Yakin’s Switzerland eased into the quarterfinals, as they have real momentum heading into the last eight.
Italian captain and goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma has to be a busy man to keep Switzerland’s fluid attack at bay throughout the game, as Luciano Spalletti’s side simply did not turn up for this game, or this tournament.
Disjointed Italy remain a huge work in progress
Look, Italy won the Euros three years ago and they did so by being organized and having plenty of veteran players stepping up, especially in defense. But this new-look Italian side has been struggling for some time. They don’t have that defensive solidity and they don’t have a natural goalscorer, or midfielders who can control and dominate the tempo of a game. All they have is Donnarumma doing his best to keep shots out and then the rest of the team is trying to hang in there. That is it. This is an Italian side in transition and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Spalletti stay on, as his took this job just 10 months ago when Roberto Mancini left abruptly to coach Saudi Arabia. The fact Italy have not qualified for either of the last two World Cups shows you that their poor performance in this competition was not a one-off. They rode some impressive displays, plus the all-important factors of luck and momentum, to win the European Championships last time, but that was three years ago. A lot has changed since them. From day one in this competition Italy never looked like making a deep run. Spalletti needs to be given time to build a identity to this Italian side, just like he did at Napoli, because he changed so many players and the system, but simply nothing worked. Italy should qualify for the next World Cup given its expanded format and now all of their focus has to be on not missing out on a third-straight World Cup. This Italian squad has some talented youngsters coming through but for most of this tournament the players on the pitch looked confused, lacking in confidence, jaded and overawed. Italy remain a huge work in progress but Spalletti shouldn’t be fired.
What’s next?
Switzerland will play the winners of England vs Slovakia in the quarterfinals. That game will take place on Saturday, July 6 at 12pm ET in Dusseldorf.
How to watch Switzerland vs Italy, stream link and start time
Kick off: Saturday (June 29), 12pm ET
Stadium: Olympiastadion, Berlin
How to watch on TV, stream in USA: Fox Sports, FS1
Switzerland vs Italy final score: 2-0
Freuler 37', Vargas 46'
Switzerland vs Italy live updates! - By Joe Prince-Wright
Full time: Switzerland 2-0 Italy
That was so so comfortable for Switzerland. Italy never turned up. The Swiss set the tone in the first half and Italy never had an answer.
Scamacca hits the post
Was that the big chance for Italy? Scamacca hits the post from a few yards out. Italy so close to a crucial goal.
Hope for Italy?
Fabian Schar heads the ball against his own post as Switzerland’s veteran defenders makes a real mess of that clearance but he gets away with it. Surely Italy have to get one back soon if they’re going to at least take this to extra time.
Less than a minute into the second half and Vargas curls home! - Switzerland 2-0 Italy (46th minute)
Italy give the ball away from the kick off and Switzerland keep it and find Vargas on the edge of the box and he curls home superbly. Switzerland in dreamland. Italy having a nightmare.
27 seconds into the 2nd half and Switzerland double their lead against Italy.
— Joe Prince-Wright (@JPW_NBCSports) June 29, 2024
Italy give the ball away cheaply, Switzerland find Ruben Vargas on the edge of the box and he curls home superbly.
Will there be any kind of response from the reigning champs?pic.twitter.com/bMK9w2rCGL
Half time: Switzerland 1-0 Italy
That was a brilliant first half from Switzerland. Freuler got the goal and Donnarumma made two fine stops to keep the score down. Italy have had a couple of chances but have barely had any control in this game.
Reider almost makes it 2-0!
Reider whips in a cheeky free kick to the near post which almost catches out Donnarumma but he pushes the shot onto the post and it goes out for a corner. Switzerland so close to a second.
Freuler volleys home a lovely goal, and that was coming! - Switzerland 1-0 Italy (37th minute)
Vargas plays it in and Remo Freuler pops it up with his first touch and then his volley flies past Donnarumma. That is totally deserved. Switzerland have been excellent. Italy struggling to get out of their own half. How will the reigning champs respond?
🔥 Lovely play from Switzerland, who deservedly lead against reigning champs Italy. Vargas plays in Remo Freuler and he pops it up before volleying home.
— Joe Prince-Wright (@JPW_NBCSports) June 29, 2024
That was coming. Switzerland popping it around well and look so confident. Italy the exact opposite.pic.twitter.com/Lr0NU0AUNn
It is all Switzerland now
Italy are camped on the edge of their own box and can’t get out. Switzerland are so composed on the ball and have been so close to carving out more chances but Italy are just clearing at the final moment.
Chiesa’s shot is blocked by Akanji
Federico Chiesa gets free in the box and his low shot is on goal but Akanji clears. This is end-to-end know.
Donnarumma denies Embolo. What a chance!
What a huge chance for Switzerland! Embolo times his run perfectly and is played in one-on-one but Donnarumma stands tall and pushes the shot away. Huge opportunity for Switzerland to take the lead. Donnarumma has been fantastic at this tournament.
SWITZERLAND WITH A CHANCE 👀
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 29, 2024
Donnarumma with a HUGE save for Italy 🇮🇹🧤 pic.twitter.com/Wu89qjYfRE
Italy improving but Switzerland look more dangerous
The Italians have finally settled down and are looking for Chiesa on the right wing often. The Juventus man is getting into some good positions and it looks like he will have the beating of Rodriguez. Switzerland then have a couple of breaks but can’t get the final ball right. The Swiss look dangerous.
Barella is down with what looks like thigh injury
Oh no. Italy did not want to see this. Their best midfielder, Nicolo Barella, is down holding his thigh. He’s up now and trying to walk it off but he’s limping badly. That was an innocuous one but he’s managed to run it off. Xhaka was down for a little bit too but he looks okay too.
Bright start from the Swiss!
After some sustained early pressure, a pass is deflected behind the Italian goal for a Switzerland corner. It comes to nothing but Embolo is buzzing around and Switzerland are taking the game to Italy. Vargas whips in a cross and Freuler goes down in the box but Italy clear and there is no penalty kick.
Switzerland lineup
Sommer; Schar, Akanji, Rodriguez; Aebischer, Freuler, Xhaka, Rieder; Vargas, Embolo; Ndoye
Italy lineup
Donnarumma; Di Lorenzo, Mancini, Bastoni, Darmian; Cristante, Fagioli, Barella; Chiesa, Scamacca, El Shaarawy
Switzerland team news, focus
Right back Widmer is suspended so someone is going to have to play out of position to replace him. Embolo may start up top after working his way back to fitness and he has looked sharp in short bursts so far. Xhaka will run the show in central midfield.
Italy team news, focus
Center back Ricardo Calafiori, who set up the equalizing goal against Croatia with a trademark marauding run, is suspended so a new defender will have to come in and Gianluca Mancini is expected to replace him. Zaccagni could start, while Federico Chiesa, Gianluca Scamacca and Davide Frattesi could come back into the starting lineup.
Switzerland vs Italy prediction
This feels like Switzerland will edge it. They are a stubborn side and won’t be fazed by taking on Italy. They are a total team unit and their experienced stars will relish this opportunity. Expect this inexperienced Italian side to be knocked out as they’ve failed to get going at all in this tournament. Switzerland 2-1 Italy.