Playing like a well-drilled club side, Murat Yakin’s side overcame Italy in Berlin to reach the quarter-finals of UEFA EURO 2024 at the holders’ expense.
Ruben Vargas (right) after doubling Switzerland’s lead
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
Match in brief: Switzerland pressure pays
Remo Freuler wheels away after breaking the deadlock in Berlin
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 on to 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 side 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.
Vivo Player of the Match: Ruben Vargas (Switzerland)
Quality goal, clever assist, good movement, energetic. Dangerous in 1v1 and big contribution defensively.
Anna-Sophia Vollmerhausen, Switzerland reporter
Switzerland’s last appearance at this stage saw them record one of the most famous results in their history, knocking out France on penalties at EURO 2020. Having eliminated the defending champions on the back of a truly commanding performance, this might now rank up there among the greatest Swiss performances ever.
Paolo Menicucci, Italy reporter
The reigning champions are out after a disappointing performance. The Azzurri were outclassed for most of the game and only went close to score only with a late assault. Too little, too late to progress in the tournament against a Switzerland side which seemed stronger physically and technically for almost the entire game.
Reaction
Gianluigi Donnarumma pushes Fabian Rieder’s free-kick on to his post
Breel Embolo, Switzerland forward: “We deserved to win against a difficult team to play. We were compact and we created chances . We made a really good game and we scored at the right moment. I am really proud for the team and the staff and for the whole country.”
Fabian Rieder, Switzerland midfielder: “The feeling is great because we showed a really good performance. We showed from the first second that we really wanted to win this game. The spirit is incredible; everyone is happy, everyone runs for the other one, and I think we showed that on the pitch.”
Key stats
Switzerland and Italy line up ahead of kick-off at the Olympiastadion
- Switzerland’s seven goals at EURO 2024 have all been scored by different players; Freuler is now Switzerland’s oldest EURO scorer aged 32 years and 75 days – breaking Mario Gavranović’s previous record of 31 years and 216 days at EURO 2020.
- The Swiss had not won in 11 games against Italy prior to this match (D6 L5) since a 1-0 success in a May 1993 World Cup qualifier.
- This is the first time Italy have conceded more than once in a World Cup or EURO finals game since they lost 4-0 to Spain in the final of EURO 2012.
- Switzerland have reached the quarter-finals for a second successive EURO, having made it to the last eight for the first time at EURO 2020. They have lost only one of their last 18 international matches (W8 D9).
- Italy have missed out on the EURO quarter-finals for the first time since 2004.
- Gianluca Mancini became the first Italian to make his EURO debut in a knockout round match since the introduction the group stage in 1980.
Line-ups
Switzerland: Sommer; Schär, Akanji, Rodríguez; Aebischer (Steffen 90+2), Freuler, Xhaka, Rieder (Stergiou 71); Vargas (Zuber 71), Embolo (Duah 77), Ndoye (Sierro 77)
Italy: Donnarumma; Mancini, Bastoni, Darmian (Cambiaso 75); Di Lorenzo, Cristante (Pellegrini 75), Fagioli (Frattesi 86), Barella (Retegui 64), El Shaarawy (Zaccagni 46); Scamacca, Chiesa