EURO 2024: SWITZERLAND 2-0 ITALY: DEFENDING CHAMPION ELIMINATED AS VARGAS, FREULER SCORE

June 29, 2024June 29, 2024

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By Ajape Sefiu A.

Determined and relentless Switzerland outclassed Italy, with a deserved 2-0 win in Berlin to knock the defending champions out of Euro 2024 and set up a possible quarter-final with England.

Prior to the game, Luciano Spalletti made six changes to Italy’s starting line-up, searching for something, but there was no sign of it as Switzerland were the better side from the outset.

Breel Embolo came close to finding the breakthrough even before Remo Freuler’s opener.

Switzerland was the better side with 65 per cent of the ball and eight of the first nine attempts at goal prior to taking a well-earned lead when Ruben Vargas’ centre was met by the Nottingham Forest midfielder.

He became the sixth different scorer for his side at Euro 2024.

Vargas became the seventh just 27 seconds after the restart. Italy lost possession from their own kick-off and when the ball reached the winger on the edge of the penalty box, he curled beyond Gianluigi Donnarumma and into the top corner.

Italy offered little in response, coming closest to pulling one back only when Fabian Schar headed against his own crossbar. Their reign as champions of Europe is over.

Meanwhile, Switzerland’s bid will continue against England or Slovakia next weekend in Dusseldorf.