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.
Half-time! Switzerland 1-0 Italy
45+3 mins: Switzerland were the better team of the first half and they’ve squeezed themselves into the lead. There’s a lot of improvement to be made from Italy who are now chasing this game.
The Swiss are 45 minutes away from the quarter-finals. All to play for in the second half.
Switzerland 1-0 Italy
45 mins: Three minutes of added time to play.
Save! Rieder fanices one and takes a shot from outside the box. He curls it towards the near post where Donnarumma leaps to his left and pushes the ball onto the post.
Switzerland 1-0 Italy
43 mins: In theory there should be more space for Switzerland now as they look for a second goal. Italy need to be more expansive which will leave gaps.
Switzerland have possession and are running the clock down to half-time.
Switzerland 1-0 Italy
40 mins: The deadlock is broken and Italy have gone behind for a fourth time at Euro 2024. They’re dangerously when they have to score and there’s no way they won’t adapt to a more positive and aggressive approach.
Switzerland need to be careful, they’ll need a second goal before feeling comfortable.
GOAL! Switzerland 1-0 Italy (Freuler, 37’)⚽️
37 mins: Oh just ignore me!
Switzerland take the lead with a fine move. Ruben Vargas receives the ball on the left and pulls over a couple of defenders before slotting a square pass into the middle.
Remo Freuler arrives from deep, his first touch takes him away from the nearest centre-back then the second pings the ball into the back of the net!
Switzerland 0-0 Italy
36 mins: In the crowd the Switzerland fans are making themselves heard as they watch their team continue to dominate possession.
Worryingly these opening 36 minutes remind me of the Group C games featuring England. It could be a long, long while before we see a goal.
Switzerland 0-0 Italy
33 mins: Italy can’t get out of their own half. Alessandro Bastoni attempts to come down the left wing but runs out of play under pressure.
Switzerland respond with Fabian Rieder shifting into space on the right then drilling a low pass into the arms of Donnarumma.
Switzerland 0-0 Italy
30 mins: It’s a warm evening in Berlin which is probably a factor into the casual pace of play. Italy are rarely in a rush to make things happen and Switzerland are repeatedly probing inside their opponents’ half.
Rodriguez takes a shot from range but smokes the ball over the top.
Switzerland 0-0 Italy
27 mins: Close!
Action at the other end now. Stephan El Shaarawy nods an aerial ball across to Federico Chiesa who twists and weaves his way into the penalty area.
He shakes a tackle and gets off a shot only for Manuel Akanji to block the danger and turn the ball out for a corner.
Switzerland 0-0 Italy
24 mins: There’s been spaces for Switzerland to operate in between the lines but they’ve been lacking with a cutting final pass to properly cause Italy issues.
Save! Michel Aebischer dinks a chip over the top and picks out Embolo’s run. He shifts the ball onto his right foot and shoots but Gianluigi Donnarumma is up to the task and palms the ball away.
Best chance of the match so far!
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