Italy’s defence of the European Championship came to an end with a 2-0 defeat to Switzerland in the last 16 of Euro 2024.
The Azzurri were second-best from start to finish at the Olympiastadion in Berlin and head home after only four games of the tournament.
Switzerland’s status as one of the summer’s leading dark horses remains in tact and they’ll be fancied to cause further scalps after a fine team performance on Saturday.
How the game unfolded
Switzerland made a tremendous start to the game and nearly took the lead when Breel Embolo beat the Italian offside trap and was set through by Michel Aebischer one-on-one with Gianluigi Donnarumma, who made a full-stretch save to deny the striker.
With 37 minutes on the clock, Switzerland got the goal they deserved. Ruben Vargas’ pass inside found Remo Freuler crashing into the 18-yard box, and his half-volley after looping his first touch in the air beat Donnarumma at the near post.
On the stroke of half-time, Donnarumma pushed a free-kick from Fabian Rieder onto the post and behind as Italy got into the break only one goal down.
But within 30 seconds of the restart, Switzerland doubled their lead. Vargas managed to find a yard of space to turn and shoot from just inside the 18 yard box, and he picked out the top corner.
Italy needed something out of nothing to get back into the game, and they so nearly got their wish when Fabian Schar headed a speculative cross against his own post when under little pressure.
Another opening came and went when Mattia Zaccagni headed down for Gianluca Scamacca to strike from close range, but his effort cannonned off the post. Replays suggested a goal would have been ruled out for offside regardless.
Only two minutes of stoppage time were added at the end of the second half as Italy were swiftly put out of their misery and their elimination was confirmed.
Switzerland will face either England or Slovakia in the quarter-finals.
GK: Yann Sommer – 6/10 – A passenger for the most part. Kept his composure when playing from the back.
CB: Fabian Schar – 7/10 – A strange header onto his own post was the only real blemish on Schar’s magnificent performance.
CB: Manuel Akanji – 8/10 – Completely shut down the threat of Scamacca without having to do very much.
CB: Ricardo Rodriguez – 7/10 – Harked back to his left-back days with both overlapping and underlapping runs into the final third, much to the confusion of Italy.
RM: Fabian Rieder – 7/10…
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