UEFA Euro 2024 Italy vs Denmark: Defending champions Italy were knocked out of UEFA Euro 2024 on Saturday when they were totally outplayed by Switzerland at the Olympiastadion, Berlin in the first match of round of 16. The 2-0 victory was the least thing the Swiss deserved as they were superior to their rivals in all aspects.
The Swiss started the match quite positively showing more intensity and domination going forward while maintaining a good balance in defence by not exposing too much room for the opponents.
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Skipper Granit Xhaka played a pivotal role in the central midfield as he usually does, orchestrating and dictating the ball control and providing supply to the forward line, however, in the attacking third the finishing was not up to that desired level.
Striker Breel Embolo was denied by Gianluigi Donnarumma where the former should have done better. In the 36th minute winger Ruben Vargas cut in from the left and provided a perfect cross to Remo Freuler who made a perfect run from the middle and was literally unmarked, latched on the opportunity and opened the scorecard.
#EURO2024 | #SUIITA pic.twitter.com/YGIzDW3yZb
— UEFA EURO 2024 (@EURO2024) June 29, 2024
Early in the second half, the Italians lost the possession way too easily and the provider of the first goal turned the scorer when Vargas curled into the top corner from inside the box, giving no chance to Donnarumma.
After conceding the second goal, Italian manager Luciano Spalletti made all the substitutions available but a well-organized Swiss defence was too good for the Azzurris as goalie Yann Sommer was hardly tested during the entire game.
Murat Yakin’s side now will meet either England or Slovakia in the quarter final stage.
UEFA Euro 2024: Germany vs Denmark
Meanwhile, in the other match of last night, hosts Germany advanced to the quarter finals after defeating Denmark 2-0 at Signal Iduna Park, Dortmund. Julian Nagelsmann made three changes in the starting line-up. Leroy Sane took the place of Florian Wirtz in the right wing, Maxi Mittelstadt was replaced by David Raum at left back and Nico Schlotterbeck was deployed in the central defence in place of suspended Jonathan Tah.
It was an entertaining, high tempo and eventful match for both football and non-football reasons. Three goals were disallowed during the game, one penalty was awarded to the Germans and the match was suspended for 20 minutes due to lightning and extreme weather conditions after the first 35 minutes.
JAMAL MUSIALA #EURO2024 | #GERDEN pic.twitter.com/PFx7HJGVLf
— UEFA EURO 2024 (@EURO2024) June 29, 2024
Kai Havertz scored from the penalty spot in the 53rd minute after Danish full back Joachim Andersen was adjudged handling the ball inside the penalty box. Germany’s top scorer Jamal Musiala scored his third goal of the tournament to seal the victory in the 68th minute when he calmly slotted home the long ball received from Schlotterbeck. The 21 years old’s curling tidy right footed finish was beyond the reach of goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel.
The three times European Champions Germany will now face the victors of Spain or Georgia in the next round.
