Switzerland eliminate defending champions Itay to qualify for Euro 2024 quarter-finals

Murat Yakin’s men scored two goals to send Italy packing home.

In the 2024 European Championship round of 16, Switzerland surprised everyone and defeated Italy, the reigning champions, by 2-0 at the Frankfurt Arena in Germany on Saturday.

For the first time in more than 30 years in all contests, the Swiss defeated the Italians at the Euros. Switzerland have qualified for the European Championship six times. Its greatest result came in the most recent competition.

In the 37th minute, Switzerland’s Remo Freuler burst through the Italian defence to score the opener after the game had been deadlocked for more than 30 minutes. After the goal, Swiss midfielder Ruben Vargas, who assisted on the opening goal, unleashed a monster strike to start the second half and give Switzerland a commanding 2-0 lead.

The victory also represents a surprise in terms of standings: Italy are ranked No. 10 in the FIFA rankings, while Switzerland are placed No. 19.

After Switzerland and Italy collected five and four points respectively in the group stage, both sides finished second in their respective groups. For the reigning champions, Italy’s final two outcomes—a 1-1 draw with Croatia and a defeat to Spain on an own goal—were especially upsetting.

Italy emerged victorious from the 2020 European Championship, held in the summer of 2021 after a year-long postponement due to the Covid-19 pandemic, with victories over Belgium, Spain, and England.

To win the cup, the Italians overcame England in the penalty round in the championship game and Spain in the semifinals. Italy haven’t made it to the last two World Cups despite this middle Euro 2020 title triumph.

With the victory, Switzerland have matched its greatest-ever European performance, making it to the quarterfinals of the 2020 competition. The winner of England and Slovakia’s round of 16 clash on Sunday is slated to face Switzerland.

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