[ad_1]
Switzerland knocked out of Euro 2024 with a stunning 2-0 win over defending champions Italy on Saturday, reaching the quarter-finals for only the second time in history.
Murat Yakin’s well-coached side beat the two-time champions in the last 16 in Berlin and will face either England or Slovakia in the next round.
In the 37th minute of the game, Switzerland opened the scoring with Remo Froyler assisted by Ruben Vargas, and then at the start of the second half, he scored a wonderful arcing shot himself, deservedly doubling the lead.
Lacking stars and many of the key figures who led them to Euro 2020 glory, the new-look Italy side had little response to Switzerland’s strong performance.
“It hurts, it really hurts,” said Italy captain and goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma.
“We can only say sorry to everyone, our performance today was disappointing, they should have won. We didn’t play well throughout the game.”
Former Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka came into the Euros after a stunning season with German champions Bayer Leverkusen and he dominated the game, making it look like the Swiss side would rarely let a lead slip away.
“I don’t know what to say, this is the most important game of my career,” said Swiss midfielder Fabian Riedl.
“Everybody played for each other, we played well defensively and offensively… We were a really good team.
“We want to enjoy the moment now but keep working towards the next game.”
Italy coach Luciano Spalletti dropped Jorginho after his worrying performance in the group stage and brought on Nicolo Fagioli in defensive midfield, but despite making six drastic changes, it failed to energise the Azzurri.
Spalletti said the second goal left the team without the ability to resist and their limitations were exposed.
“Right now, we can’t do more for so many reasons,” he said.
Spalletti called on his team to improve in the knockout stages after Spain equalised in a 1-1 draw with Croatia to advance to the last 16.
However, Switzerland, with confidence growing, produced its best performance yet in a sweltering Berlin Olympic Stadium, while an even more impressive Italy side won the 2006 World Cup.
Former goalkeeper and current Italy team chief Gianluigi Buffon has been telling his players the story of that triumph, but it has failed to inspire a convincing performance – except from his modern-day counterpart Donnarumma.
The Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper, a key figure in Italy’s Euro 2020 triumph, made an excellent save from Breel Embolo’s shot midway through the first half before Switzerland created his first real chance with a through ball.
– Froyler kicks off –
Donnarumma was unable to stop Frollo from scoring in the 37th minute as the midfielder controlled Vargas’ low pass and fired home at the near post to give Switzerland the lead.
The Swiss team controlled the ball for more than a minute in the offense and completed 33 passes in total. In the end, Freuler, who plays for Serie A team Bologna, made the final shot.
Donnarumma made a brilliant save before half-time to tip a Riedle free-kick onto the post as Switzerland looked to reach the quarter-finals and match their best performance at the last European Championship.
Hosts Germany needed a late equaliser to avoid defeat to Switzerland in the group stage, and having knocked out heavily-fancied France in the last 16 of the previous tournament, Italy can’t say they weren’t warned.
Spalletti brought on Stephan El Shaarawy for Zakani at halftime, but Italy lost the ball on the opening kick-off and Switzerland doubled their lead just 27 seconds into the second half.
Augsburg midfielder Vargas came on for the suspended Sylvain Widmer but on the left side of the attack he burst into the box and curled a beautiful shot past Donnarumma.
The closest Italy came was when Swiss defender Fabian Schar misjudged a header and hit the frame of his own goal.
The nearly invisible Gianluca Scamacca also hit the post from close range but appeared to be offside.
The two sides drew twice in 2022 World Cup qualifiers, with the Azzurri failing to qualify, but were the better team at the World Cup in Germany, beating Italy for the first time since 1993 after an 11-match winless run.
AFP
[ad_2]
Source link
