Italy, the reigning champions, were eliminated in a stunning upset at the European Championship on Saturday following a 2-0 loss to Switzerland in the round of 16.
The Swiss defeated Italy for the first time in thirty-one years thanks to goals from Remo Freuler and Ruben Vargas. This sets up a quarterfinal matchup against either Slovakia or England on July 6 in Düsseldorf.
A Historic Win
With this victory, Switzerland achieved their first victory over their southern neighbors since 1993 and only their ninth in 62 meetings. “We made it clear right away that we wanted to win this game. The spirit is amazing,” stated Fabian Riedler, a midfielder from Switzerland. The team showed their resolve right away as they dominated in play, possession, and shots made.
Game Highlights
After deftly setting up Vargas’ cross and slamming the ball into the net, Remo Freuler opened the score in the 37th minute. Shortly after the break, Vargas doubled the lead by incredible goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of Italy with a curling shot from the edge of the penalty area into the upper right corner.
Defensive Masterclass
Switzerland’s strong defense held up in the face of a late charge from Italy. Gianluca Scamacca nearly scored for Italy, but his shot was judged offside. He struck the post. Coach Murat Yakin’s defensive strategy, implemented by the Swiss, proved unbreakable.
Coach and Player Reactions
“Football gives so much to us,” Yakin said in an expression of gratitude following the game. I will never forget this evening. Particularly after being criticized earlier in the year, his strategic approach was validated.
Coach Luciano Spalletti of Italy, on the other hand, bemoaned the way his team performed. The group lacked confidence in their level of effort. We performed poorly,” he acknowledged. Spalletti acknowledged that his team selection and tactics contributed to the defeat.
Italy’s Ongoing Struggles
Italy is the third reigning champion to lose in the round of 16 after Portugal in 2021 and Spain in 2016. This defeat keeps up a trend for the reigning champions. The loss also highlights Italy’s difficulty in remaining consistent on the global scene, disappointing their supporters.
Looking Ahead
After their historic victory, Switzerland is getting ready for a highly anticipated quarterfinal match. They will be a tough foe for either Slovakia or England because they have the momentum on their side.
In order to regain their standing in upcoming tournaments, Italy will concentrate on reconstructing and assessing what went wrong.
