(sabasports report)June 30, Beijing time 0 o ‘clock, Euro 2024 1/8 final, Switzerland against Italy. A first-half goal by Remo Freuler and a second-half goal by Ruben Vargas extended Switzerland’s lead as they eliminated Italy 2-0 and advanced to the last eight of their second consecutive European Championships. Defending champions Italy are out of the round of 16 after losing to Switzerland for the first time in 31 years. Italy and Switzerland have met 61 times in all competitions, with Italy winning 29, drawing 24 and losing eight. The last time the teams met in a European Championship match was when Italy beat Switzerland 3-0 in the group stage of the last tournament.
Twelve minutes into the first half, Gianluigi Donnarumma cleared the ball over the line after Boubacar Ndoye followed Granit Xhaka’s cross into the box. In the 19th minute, Nicolo Barella flicked a free-kick into the box and Giovanni Di Lorenzo followed up with a volley wide, with the linesman waving a flag for offside. In the 24th minute, Breel Embolo raced into the box after Michel Aebischer’s diagonal pass and was saved when he pushed a shot at Donnarumma. Then the ball came to the top of the arc, Ndoye volley shot was blocked. In the 32nd minute, Ricardo Rodriguez shot high from outside the penalty area with great power.
In the 37th minute, Vargas crossed the area and Fruler volleyed home after following the stop to give Switzerland a 1-0 lead. In the first minute of injury time, Fabian Rieder took a free kick from the right, which was met by a diving Donnarumma and bounced off the post.