Saturday, June 29, 2024
Playing like a well-drilled club side, Murat Yakin’s team overcame Italy in Berlin to reach the quarter-finals of UEFA EURO 2024 at the holders’ expense.
Remo Freuler and Ruben Vargas did the damage in Berlin as Switzerland eliminated the holders from UEFA EURO 2024 in the round of 16.
Key moments
24′: Donnarumma denies Embolo with the first chance of the game
37′: Freuler beats the Italy goalkeeper with a powerful, low shot
45′: Donnarumma pushes Rieder’s free-kick on to the post
46′: Vargas finds the top corner from the edge of the box
74′: Scamacca clips against the woodwork
Switzerland set out to control possession and succeeded, though it took until the 24th minute for them to eke out a chance, Breel Embolo sneaking through Italy’s offside trap before drawing a save from Gianluigi Donnarumma. A sharp thrust then put them in front, Vargas’ piercing ball from the left finding Bologna’s Freuler, who controlled and fired low past Donnarumma.Struggling to find the gaps in a well-drilled Swiss starting line-up boasting 723 caps between them, holders Italy (combined starting XI appearances: 400) would have been 2-0 down by the break had Donnarumma not pushed Fabian Rieder’s free-kick onto the post and wide.
That second goal was soon to come though, another Bologna player – Michel Aebischer – picking out unattended Vargas on the edge of the box moments after the restart, with the 25-year-old finding the top corner with a stylish shot across goal.
The Swiss almost threw their opponents a lifeline when Fabian Schär’s defensive header looped against Yann Sommer’s post, but it was a rare lapse from a side that took risks but always had an out-ball, and rarely looked flustered until the closing stages when Luciano Spalletti’s team threw caution to the wind. Gianluca Scamacca briefly set pulses racing when he clipped a shot against the woodwork on 74 minutes. Otherwise, Switzerland made it look easy.
