Switzerland advances – knocked out the reigning champion

The reigning champion Italy is out of the European Championship. It stopped already in the round of 16 against Switzerland, who surprisingly won with 2–0. We knew that we needed a perfect day, and that's what we had, says Switzerland captain Granit Xhaka in SVT.

» Updated: July 16 2024

» Published: June 29 2024

Switzerland advances – knocked out the reigning champion
Photo: Soeren Stache/dpa/AP/TT

Share this article

The reigning champion Italy is out of the European Championship in football.

The journey ended already in the round of 16 against Switzerland, who surprisingly won with 2–0.

We knew that we needed a perfect day, and we had it, says Switzerland captain Granit Xhaka in SVT.

It was a round of 16 match where Switzerland took control of the game directly, while Italy had major problems getting their game going. The Swiss not only controlled the game, but also created several scoring opportunities.

With over 20 minutes played, it was only a fine save by Gianluigi Donnarumma that prevented Switzerland from taking the lead.

Instead, it wasn't until the 37th minute that Remo Freuler could score the 1–0 goal for Switzerland after a pattern attack.

Directly after the halftime break, it was time again. The 2–0 goal for Switzerland was signed by Ruben Vargas, who fired in a cannon shot with just over half a minute played of the second half.

We knew that we needed a perfect day and we had a perfect day, says Granit Xhaka in SVT.

Italy was close to a reduction just minutes later through a free kick that Switzerland defender Fabian Schär almost headed into his own goal – but the ball hit the post.

No goals were scored for the reigning European champion, who is thus eliminated from the European Championship.

For Switzerland, the winner between England and Slovakia awaits in the quarterfinals. That round of 16 match will be played on Sunday.

I'm so proud to be part of this team. We're not done here, the next match will be just as tough, but we have the qualities to win against anyone, says Xhaka.

Tags

Author

TTT
By TTEnglish edition by Sweden Herald, adapted for local and international readers

More news

Spain Exits Early from European Basketball Championship
1 MIN READ

Spain Exits Early from European Basketball Championship

Björn Borg Reveals Prostate Cancer Battle and Recovery Journey
2 MIN READ

Björn Borg Reveals Prostate Cancer Battle and Recovery Journey

Germany Suffers First Away World Championship Qualifying Loss in 91 Years
1 MIN READ

Germany Suffers First Away World Championship Qualifying Loss in 91 Years

Bäckström Records Assist in Brynäs' CHL Victory Over Klagenfurt
1 MIN READ

Bäckström Records Assist in Brynäs' CHL Victory Over Klagenfurt

Sweden Faces Intense World Championship Qualification Challenge
3 MIN READ

Sweden Faces Intense World Championship Qualification Challenge

Norwegian Striker Cathinka Tandberg Departs Hammarby
1 MIN READ

Norwegian Striker Cathinka Tandberg Departs Hammarby

Swedish Junior Lea Nilsson Advances to US Open Semifinal
1 MIN READ

Swedish Junior Lea Nilsson Advances to US Open Semifinal

Melina Andersson Wins Silver in Canoe Marathon World Championship
1 MIN READ

Melina Andersson Wins Silver in Canoe Marathon World Championship

Liverpool Signs Beata Olsson from Kristianstad in Record Transfer
1 MIN READ

Liverpool Signs Beata Olsson from Kristianstad in Record Transfer

Frölunda and Färjestad Set for Exciting Women's Hockey Rivalry
3 MIN READ

Frölunda and Färjestad Set for Exciting Women's Hockey Rivalry

Slovenia vs Sweden: World Cup Qualifier Match Preview
3 MIN READ

Slovenia vs Sweden: World Cup Qualifier Match Preview

Louise Etzner Jakobsson Wins First European Championship Gold
1 MIN READ

Louise Etzner Jakobsson Wins First European Championship Gold

French Women's Boxing Team Misses World Championship Due to Late Gender Test
2 MIN READ

French Women's Boxing Team Misses World Championship Due to Late Gender Test

Roberth Björknesjö Named New Head Coach of Allsvenska Öster
1 MIN READ

Roberth Björknesjö Named New Head Coach of Allsvenska Öster

Jon Dahl Tomasson Tasked with Leading Sweden to World Championship
3 MIN READ

Jon Dahl Tomasson Tasked with Leading Sweden to World Championship

Swedish TV to Miss NFL Broadcasts This Season
1 MIN READ

Swedish TV to Miss NFL Broadcasts This Season

Christian Eriksen Trains with Malmö FF Amidst Transfer Speculation
2 MIN READ

Christian Eriksen Trains with Malmö FF Amidst Transfer Speculation

Axel Norén Joins Swedish National Team for World Cup Qualifiers
1 MIN READ

Axel Norén Joins Swedish National Team for World Cup Qualifiers

Israel-Premier Tech Urged to Withdraw from Tour of Spain for Safety
2 MIN READ

Israel-Premier Tech Urged to Withdraw from Tour of Spain for Safety

Sjöström Eyes Possible Comeback at 2026 European Championship
2 MIN READ

Sjöström Eyes Possible Comeback at 2026 European Championship