Switzerland vs Italy LIVE RESULT: Swiss into last 8 with brilliant win as defending champs are DUMPED OUT
RUBEN VARGAS and Remo Freuler struck to dump defending champions Italy OUT of Euro 2024 - and set up a potential quarter-final clash against England.
Switzerland had an impressive group stage campaign and were excellent against the Azzurri - who were woeful.
The two well-worked goals mean the Swiss reach the last eight foe the second consecutive tournament.
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Switzerland 2-0 Italy
53. Oh! Switzerland nearly gift Italy a route back into the game!
A hopeful yet harmless cross floated into the area should be comfortable for Schar, but the defender somehow gets his angles wrong.
Instead, he loops a header beyond the stranded Sommer in goal and on to his own post.
There's a momentary pause as the ball ricochets against the frame of the goal before those in red rush to clear.
Switzerland 2-0 Italy
51. All Italy are able to do at the moment is kick their opponents to stop them in their tracks.
The Azzurri clock up their tenth foul of the contest.
Switzerland 2-0 Italy
48. This has been one of the worst Italian performances I have ever seen.
It's a far cry from the last time they played here in the 2006 final when they beat France to win the World Cup.
Switzerland 2-0 Italy
46. Italy have a mountain to climb now!
From their own kick-off at the start of the second half, they give the ball away with a dreadful pass from Nicolo Fagioli.
It sets the Swiss away down the left immediately, where Michel Aebischer plays back into the path of Ruben Vargas inside the area.
Opening up his body, Vargas curls a beautiful right-footer over and around Gianluigi Donnarumma that nestles in the top corner. Spectacular!
The Swiss are heading for the quarter-finals!
The champions are heading home!
Unbelievable!
Kick-off - Switzerland 1-0 Italy
46. Luciano Spalletti has had to do something at half-time, and his decision is to bring on the man that spared their blushes on Monday.
Mattia Zaccagni is on for the second half in place of the ineffectual Stephan El Shaarawy with the Azzurri once again needing a goal.
But...
First half facts and figures
Italy have now conceded as many goals at Euro 2024 as they did at Euro 2020 when they won the competition (4).
Half-time - Switzerland 1-0 Italy
Switzerland lead at the break, and the only surprise is that the margin is only one goal.
The Swiss have been smart with the ball, pressed high, looked great in and out of possession, and picked the moments to pounce.
Italy have been nothing short of appalling. Mamma Mia!
Switzerland 1-0 Italy - El Shaarawy yellow card
45. And that is pure frustration from Stephan El Shaarawy.
The forward, a surprise selection for Italy, has been anonymous in this first half and has now picked up a yellow card for a very naughty challenge on Fabian Schar.
The Italian lunges in and catches the Newcastle defender on the ankle; an inch or two higher and it could well have been red.
Switzerland 1-0 Italy
43. Italy have only had one shot so far and none on target.
There's no other way to say it, they have been so poor.
Switzerland 1-0 Italy
41. There's a break in play as Di Lorenzo receives treatment,
To be honest, Italy could do with the half-time whistle and quickly before things get even worse.
Switzerland 1-0 Italy
39. There has been no immediate response from Italy.
In fact, the reigning champions have continued in half-hearted fashion.
Mind you, they've been here before, having conceded first in all four games at Euro 2024.
Switzerland 1-0 Italy
37. Switzerland lead - and it has been coming!
Murat Yakin's men finally move the ball quick enough to open up the Italian defence, and Remo Freuler punishes them in style!
Ruben Vargas' pass into the area from the right was precise, and the goalscorer's first touch was perfect.
Having sat the ball up with his right foot, Freuler quickly adjusted himself to strike on the volley with his left and beat Gianluigi Donnarumma at the near post, having shot through the legs of the sliding Gianluca Mancini.
Breakthrough!
Switzerland 0-0 Italy - Barella yellow card
35. Nicolo Barella goes into Szymon Marciniak's book.
The Italian fails to track the bursting run of Xhaka through midfield, and then proceeds to trip him from behind.
A clear yellow card.
Switzerland 0-0 Italy
33. Rieder gets into a great position around the back of Darmian on the right flank.
The Rennes man takes it to the byline and has options in the middle, only to swerve a lazy, low cross straight at Donnarumma.
Switzerland 0-0 Italy
31. With the forwards struggling to find room around this dogged Italian defence, the Swiss centre-backs decide to have a go.
Schar has his shot blocked before Rodriguez follows up and belts over from 25 yards.
Switzerland 0-0 Italy
29. The Switzerland pressure is relentless at the moment, if not intense.
Italy can't get out at the moment although if any nation could be happy in such circumstances it would be the Italians.
Switzerland 0-0 Italy
27. The return of Embolo has shifted Ndoye out on to the right of the Swiss attack.
Nevertheless, the Bologna forward looks the most likely to make something happen, and has recorded three goal attempts in this game alone.
Switzerland 0-0 Italy
25. Italy hit back and force another corner after Akanji blocks behind.
These rare set-piece opportunities are as good as it's getting for the Italians right now.
Switzerland 0-0 Italy
23. Donnarumma saves Italy! And how often have we said that!
A first-time pass has Embolo running off the shoulder of the last defender, but he has so much room as he bears down on goal that everyone watching assumes he is offside.
Those doubters must include Embolo himself too because his finish appears very lackadaisical and the perfect height for Donnarumma to push out and away.
However, replays show that the Swiss striker was being played on by Darmian on the far side, and the goal would have counted.
Switzerland 0-0 Italy
21. Lots of Swiss possession.
Murat Yakin's side are getting into good areas with it too, probing away at the Italian defence.
The Azzurri remain very compact, especially in and around their own penalty area.
Switzerland 0-0 Italy
19. It's a knockout tie that has yet to spark into life yet.
The Swiss, however, look the more well-rounded of the two teams.
They just happen to be worse with crosses than Dracula.
Switzerland 0-0 Italy
17. For the first time today, the Italians show some attacking intent.
Chiesa appears the main outlet on the right, and twice makes runs on to through balls.
The second is too long, but the first is perfectly-weighted for the Juventus man to cross straight at Rodriguez.
Switzerland 0-0 Italy
15. Now it's the turn of the Swiss supporters to look on nervously.
Captain Xhaka is sat down on the turf, seemingly nursing an issue.
The midfielder picks himself up to play on, but he doesn't look comfortable.