Struggling Italy should have come from two goals behind in the first leg of their Uefa Euro 2024 knockout stage when Ruben Vargas scored an unforgettable strike for Switzerland seconds after the break in Berlin.
Vargas scored from the penalty spot and beat Gianluigi Donnarumma with a fine finish to put his side on the way to the quarter-finals almost from the start.
Switzerland took the lead eight minutes before the break through influential midfielder Remo Freuler.More to follow
Switzerland vs Italy: Freuler’s goal
Freuler – on loan at Bologna from Nottingham Forest – collected Vargas’ pass in the center of the penalty area with a touch that set the midfielder up to beat Donnarumma from close range.
Switzerland entered the tournament in better shape than Italy, only denied top spot in Group A by Germany’s equalizer on the closing day.
Nice goal from Switzerland 👌#BBEuros #Euro2024 pic.twitter.com/QgvItAshlM
-BBC Sport (@BBCSport) June 29, 2024
The Azzurri came from behind to beat underdogs Albania, lost to Spain and eventually won by beating Croatia in the 98th minute in the third leg.
“They look like a team from a different class,” former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy told BBC Sport of Luciano Spalletti’s players.
“It’s like watching a Championship team against a Premier League team right now. They appear, they are played.”
Just 27 seconds into the second half and Switzerland doubled their lead 😮#BBEuros #Euro2024 #SUITE pic.twitter.com/vh2NicEPzm
-BBC Sport (@BBCSport) June 29, 2024
Italy ‘gave nothing’ compared to Switzerland
Another England player, Alan Shearer, was also shocked when he assessed Italy’s half-time performance.
“When Italy got into the forward area – which was very rare – they never gave anything away,” said the top scorer at Euro ’96.
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“[Federico] Chiesa looks very dangerous on the left side – but of course, they never gave anything away.”
The winners of this match will play England or Slovakia in the final in Dusseldorf on July 6.
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