Switzerland started the knockout phase of the Euro 2024 with a bang by eliminating reigning champions Italy with a convincing 2-0 victory in Berlin on Saturday.
After more than 30 minutes of deadlock, Swiss midfielder Remo Freuler broke through the Italian defence to score in the 37th minute. The goal was followed by a stunner from midfielder Ruben Vargas, who had an assist on the first goal, to open the second half and give Switzerland a dominant 2-0 lead.
The victory is also a surprise from a rankings point of view: in the current FIFA rankings, Italy is at number 10, while Switzerland is at number 19.
Switzerland and Italy both finished second in their respective groups, with five and four points respectively in the group stage. Italy’s last two results — a loss to Spain by an own goal and a 1-1 draw with Croatia — have been particularly frustrating for the reigning champions.
Italy won the 2020 European Championship – which was postponed for a year due to Covid-19 and played in the summer of 2021 – after defeats by high-level opponents such as Belgium, Spain and England. The Italians survived penalty rounds against Spain in the semi-finals and England in the final to take the cup. Despite the victory, Italy failed to qualify for the last two World Cups.
With the victory, Switzerland equals its best result at the 2020 European Championship: reaching the quarter-finals. Switzerland will now face the winner of Sunday’s match between England and Slovakia.
Host country Germany advances after win over Denmark
Germany reached the quarter-finals of Euro 2024 with a 2-0 win over Denmark. Goals from Kai Havertz and Jamal Musiala helped the hosts get through, setting them up for a match against the winner of Spain/Georgia in the next round.
A thunderstorm in Dortmund, Germany, caused a 22-minute delay in the first half, which ultimately ended goalless.
Denmark looked to get on the scoreboard first in the 48th minute through Joachim Andersen, but the goal was disallowed after a ruling for offside. The semi-automatic offside system used in the tournament declared it a no-goal — and it was very, very tight.
A few minutes later, the Danes would struggle again after an evaluation confirmed an Andersen handball, which resulted in a penalty for Germany.
48′: Joachim Andersen’s goal disallowed
51′: Joachim Andersen’s handball in the penalty area gives Germany a penaltyA few brutal minutes for Joachim Andersen and Denmark 😬 pic.twitter.com/CW7pls67JX
— FOX Football (@FOXSoccer) June 29, 2024
Havertz fired his penalty past goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel to give Germany a 1-0 lead.
Fourteen minutes later, Musiala doubled the lead and the match was finally over for Denmark.
Germany will now have enough rest before the quarter-finals on July 5 in Stuttgart.
