Defending European champions Italy suffered a shock elimination from the tournament on Saturday, losing 2-0 to Switzerland in the round of 16. Goals from Remo Freuler and Ruben Vargas sealed the victory for the Swiss, sending them to a quarterfinal clash with England or Slovakia.
Italy's quest to defend their European Championship crown came to an abrupt end on Saturday as they were stunned 2-0 by Switzerland in the last 16. Goals in each half from Remo Freuler and Ruben Vargas condemned the Azzurri to a disappointing exit, marking their first defeat to their southern neighbors in 31 years.
Switzerland showcased their tactical prowess throughout the match, dominating possession and dictating the pace of play. Italy struggled to create clear-cut chances, with their usually fluid attacking play stifled by the Swiss defense.
As the first half wore on, Switzerland's dominance began to bear fruit. In the 37th minute, Freuler broke the deadlock with a clinical finish, latching onto Vargas' cross and sending a powerful shot into the net.
Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma kept his side in contention with a spectacular save to deny Breel Embolo in a one-on-one situation, but he could do nothing to prevent Vargas from doubling Switzerland's lead moments after the restart. The Swiss forward curled a sumptuous shot from the edge of the penalty area into the top right corner.
Trailing 2-0, Italy finally mustered some urgency in attack, but the Swiss defense remained resolute. Led by the impressive Granit Xhaka and Nico Elvedi, the Swiss back line held firm, preventing Italy from finding a way back into the game.
As the final whistle blew, Switzerland celebrated a famous victory, while Italy's players were left to rue a disappointing end to their tournament. The Swiss will now face the winner of the England vs. Slovakia match in the quarterfinals, while Italy's focus will shift to rebuilding for the future.
The result marks a significant upset in the European Championship, as Italy were heavily favored to advance to the latter stages of the tournament. Switzerland, on the other hand, have shown that they are a force to be reckoned with and will be confident of causing further surprises in the knockout rounds.
