Switzerland 2-0 Italy
The magnificent setting of Berlin – which will also host the final Euro 2024 in just over a fortnight’s time – was the scene for the first last-16 tie of the tournament.
While slow starters Italy had somewhat stumbled into the last 16, the Swiss had fared slightly better and claimed five points to finish behind hosts Germany in Group A which they were seconds away from winning themselves.
As a result, there was a feeling that the holders were here for the taking but, although Italy saved themselves with a last-gasp (in fact, it was arguably later than that!) equaliser against Croatia, the defending champions had showed they still have quality in their ranks to turn a contest on its head.
Put simply, the next nation to deliver Euro 2024 highlights would be in the quarter-finals.
Highlights of the game
Switzerland made one change from the side that came close to beating hosts Germany in their final group game.
Right wing-back Silvan Widmer was suspended so a reshuffle saw Michael Aebischer switch over from the left and Fabian Rieder drop back.
Meanwhile, Italy make six alterations from the side that drew with Croatia.
At the back Gianluca Mancini replaced the suspended Ricardo Calafiori, while Nicolo Fagioli and Bryan Cristante came in for Jorginho and Lorenzo Pellegrini in midfield.
Federico Chiesa, Gianluca Scamacca and Stephan El Shaarawyin were brought in up front, with Mateo Retegui and Giacomo Raspadori making way. Left wing-back Federico Dimarco, nursing a calf strain, also dropped to the bench.
Switzerland made a bright start and were probing from the first whistle, always patient yet frustrated by the stoic rearguard of the Italians.
So much so that, despite having most of the possession in the opening half hour, they could not turn that territorial advantage into clear cut chances.
One did arrive just before half the hour mark as Rieder flicked the ball into the path of Breel Embolo who forced a fine save from influential captain Gianluigi Donnarumma but probably should have scored.
They may have paid the price a minute later as Chiesa showed neat footwork only for his goalbound shot to be blocked by Manuel Akanji.
Seven minutes before the break and the Swiss had the lead their play merited as Ruben Vargas found Remo Freuler who controlled the ball without challenge and rifled into the bottom corner.
Italy were behind for the fourth game in a row.
But for Donnarumma, they would have been further adrift at the break as the number one managed to tip an inviting free-kick from Rieder onto the post.
Into the second half and all the pressure was on the Azzurri who swatted the Swiss aside in group stage of this competition three years ago.
Many eyes were on Luciano Spalletti, a manager with an unconventional nature.
A Serie A winner last year when he led Napoli to their third Scudetto, it was that success that reshaped perceptions of his work and positioned him as the top candidate for the Italy job when Roberto Mancini resigned unexpectedly last year
Spalletti wasted no time at the break by bringing on the saviour against Croatia, Mattia Zaccagni, for El Shaarawy.
Yet he had no time to settle as Switzerland doubled their lead just 27 seconds after the restart when Vargas was allowed room to advance and curled a superb shot beyond Donnarumma into the top corner.
The SBOTOP Euro 2024 betting odds were drifting away from the Italians who, in the humid conditions, didn’t seem to have the confidence or wherewithal to react.
They may have gained a stroke of look soon afterwards when a post spared the blushes of defender Fabian Schar, but there was little to suggest the contest wasn’t beyond them as the Swiss set-up proved obdurate.
I would really like the Swiss to do well this summer, for no other reason than I thought they were cheated out of potential progress in the quarter-finals three years ago by a shocking decision.
Now they are back there hoping for better fortune.
The nation which came into the tournament on something of a low with the coach, Murat Yakin, under pressure after a poor qualifying campaign, is flying high.
By contrast, Italy have been beaten at the last 16 of a major tournament for the first time since 2002. The holders are out.
Key statistics
This is the first time Switzerland have defeated Italy since a 1-0 win in a May 1993 World Cup qualifier – a run which stretched to 11 matches.
Excluding penalty shootouts, this is also the first time Switzerland have won a last-16 match at a major international tournament.
This is the first time Italy have conceded more than one goal in a European Championship match since losing 4-0 to Spain in the final of Euro 2012, a run of 18 games.
This was Switzerland and Italy’s fifth meeting at a major international tournament. The Swiss won both games at the 1954 World Cup (2-1 in group and 4-1 in group play-off), but Italy won the last two, both in the group stages and both 3-0 wins in the 1962 World Cup and at Euro 2020.
Switzerland have lost just one of their last 14 matches at the European Championship (won four, draw eight), a 3-0 loss to Italy in the group stage at Euro 2020.
What’s next?
England or Slovakia now await the Swiss in the quarter-finals.
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