Switzerland v Italy LIVE: Final score and result as Ruben Vargas goal knocks champions out of Euro 2024
Switzerland 2-0 Italy: Goals from Freuler and Vargas ensure Italy’s title defence ends in the first knockout round
Italy, the reigning European champions, are out of Euro 2024 after a shockingly poor performance saw them beaten 2-0 by Switzerland in Berlin.
From the start the Swiss dominated. They controlled possession, pressed high and turned the ball over inside Italy’s half regularly. However, there seemed to be a missing ingredient for them as it took 24 minutes for Breel Embolo to draw the first save out of Gianluigi Donnarumma.
Yet when the deadlock was broken, Remo Freuler making a run from deep to collect the ball and smoke it past the goalkeeper from inside the box, Switzerland never looked back.
Ruben Vargas added an all important second goal just 27 seconds into the second half with a curling screamer and when Granit Xhaka leading from the middle of the pitch they stopped Italy from gaining a foothold to mount a response.
Relive the latest action from Switzerland vs Italy below.
Switzerland 2-0 Italy
90 mins: Just the two minutes of added time to add on. Two minutes before Switzerland reach the Euro 2024 quarter-finals.
Switzerland 2-0 Italy
87 mins: Pellegrini whips a cross into the box and there’s a few shouts for handball against one of the Swiss players. For now the game goes on but VAR is probably checking that incident.
It looked innocent enough.
Switzerland 2-0 Italy
84 mins: It’s not going to happen for Italy. Switzerland look so calm and comfortable on the ball and like they’ve got bags of time to work it out of their own half.
Manuel Akanji is commanding the defence perfectly and there’s no way through for the reigning champions.
Switzerland 2-0 Italy
81 mins: Into the final 10 minutes now and Italy are well in thr last chance saloon. The good news for them is that they’re getting up the pitch and forcing Switzerland to defend.
Manuel Akanji rises in the box and nods away a cross.
Switzerland 2-0 Italy
78 mins: Switzerland win a corner and they’d love to put this match to bed now. The ball is delivered into the box by substitute Sierro who swings it out to the edge of the penalty area.
Remo Freuler is waiting and goes for goal with his first touch but drills the effort over the top.
Switzerland 2-0 Italy
75 mins: Woodwork!
This game might not be over just yet. Zaccagni makes a darting run into the box as a chipped pass comes over the top. He gets there before anyone else and nods the ball across to Scamacca who sidefoots a shot onto the near post!
Italy could have got one back there.
Switzerland 2-0 Italy
72 mins: Switzerland go to the bench now and bring on some reinforcements for the final 20 minutes or so. Fabian Rieder and Ruben Vargas are taken off with Steven Zuber and Leonidas Stergiou introduced.
Switzerland 2-0 Italy
69 mins: Here’s a bit of Italian possession but they’re going nowhere in a hurry. Passing the ball around the centre circle trying to draw Switzerland into a press which isn’t coming.
Chiesa receives the ball and drives at Aebischer where he wins a corner. The set piece is swung into the box but flies over the heads of everyone involved.
Switzerland 2-0 Italy
66 mins: Nearly!
Rodriguez hangs a cross into the box where Freuler is waiting. The ball it a little too high for him so he attempts a bicycle kick and misses the ball by some way.
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