Switzerland Shocks Italy to Reach European Championship Quarter-Finals
In a remarkable turn of events, Switzerland defeated reigning European champions Italy 2-0 in the round of 16 match held at the Olympiastadion in Berlin. This victory propels Switzerland into the quarter-finals, where they will face the winner of the England vs. Slovakia match in Düsseldorf next Saturday. Italy, plagued by personnel problems and a lackluster performance, saw their title defense come to an abrupt end.
Key Moments of the Match
Switzerland took the lead in the 37th minute when Ruben Vargas delivered a ground ball cross that Remo Freuler expertly volleyed into the net with his left foot. Just 27 seconds into the second half, Vargas himself scored a right-footed curling shot, sealing the victory for the Swiss. Despite hitting the goalpost twice, Italy managed only one effective shot throughout the game.
Italy's goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma had warned about Switzerland's strong transition play before the match, but the Azzurri failed to control the game as he had hoped. Italy's defensive issues were evident, with key players like Federico Dimarco out due to injury and Alessandro Bastoni's participation in doubt. Coach Luciano Spalletti's multiple changes to the lineup did little to improve Italy's fortunes.
Switzerland, on the other hand, displayed a compact and spirited performance. Goalkeeper Yann Sommer, who had previously been the hero in Switzerland's 2021 victory over France, was once again instrumental in their success. The Swiss team, led by Murat Yakin, has now reached the quarter-finals for the second consecutive European Championship.
Germany Advances Amidst Weather Delays
In another round of 16 match, host country Germany advanced to the quarter-finals for the first time in eight years by defeating Denmark 2-0 at Signal Iduna Park in Dortmund. Kai Havertz opened the scoring with a penalty kick in the 53rd minute, followed by Jamal Musiala's goal in the 68th minute. The game, played under heavy rain and strong winds, was briefly halted due to lightning.
Germany's victory marks a significant turnaround after their early exits in recent major tournaments. The team has not won a major competition since reaching the semi-finals of Euro 2016. With this win, Germany looks to continue their campaign on home soil, aiming to end their drought in major tournaments.
- Italy's defeat continues a jinx for reigning champions being eliminated in the round of 16 in subsequent tournaments. Starting with Euro 2016, where Spain was eliminated by Italy, and Euro 2020, where Portugal was eliminated by Belgium, Italy now follows the same fate.
- Switzerland's consistent performance in major tournaments since 2014 is notable. They have reached the knockout stages in six consecutive major tournaments, showcasing their ability to compete at the highest level.
- Germany's victory over Denmark was marked by a penalty awarded after a VAR review, highlighting the increasing role of technology in football. The team's performance under challenging weather conditions also demonstrated their resilience and adaptability.
