Switzerland outclassed Italy to secure a 2-0 victory in Berlin to book their place in the quarter-finals of the Euro 2024.

In the last 16 match in Berlin, Murat Yakin’s incredibly disciplined team defeated the unimpressive two-time winners and will play either Slovakia or England in the following round.

Switzerland’s lead was duly doubled at the beginning of the second half after Ruben Vargas set up Remo Freuler for the game’s first goal in the 37th minute.

A fresh appearance Italy’s response to Switzerland’s dynamic performance was lacklustre, as they lacked the star power and many of the key players that propelled them to Euro 2020 victory.

“It hurts, it really hurts,” said Italy’s captain and goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma.

“We can only say sorry to everyone, we were disappointing today and they deserved to win. We struggled all game long.”

Granit Xhaka, a former midfielder for Arsenal who arrived at the Euros following an incredible season with German champions Bayer Leverkusen, was the mastermind as the Swiss hardly appeared to let the lead slip away.

“I’m at a loss for words, it was the most important game of my career,” said Swiss midfielder Fabian Rieder.

“Everyone played for each other, we worked well in defence and attack… we have an incredibly great team.

“We want to enjoy the moment now but keep working hard for the next game.”

After Jorginho’s unsatisfactory group stage performances, Italy coach Luciano Spalletti benched him and made six significant changes, including the addition of Nicolo Fagioli to defensive midfield. However, the Azzurri were unable to generate any momentum.

The second goal, according to Spalletti, “knocked the stuffing out of his side” and revealed their vulnerabilities.

“Right now, for too many reasons, we are unable to do anything more than this,” he said.

After his team narrowly advanced to the Last 16 with a last-minute equaliser in the 1-1 draw with Croatia, Spalletti had urged his players to step up in the elimination stages.

But it was Switzerland who gained confidence and gave their greatest performance to date at the hot Olympiastadion in Berlin, where a considerably more formidable Italy emerged victorious in the 2006 World Cup.

With the exception of his contemporary counterpart, Donnarumma, former custodian Gianluigi Buffon, who is currently leading Italy’s delegation, has been entertaining the team with tales from that victory, but it did not spur a convincing performance.

Midway through the first half, the Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper—who was crucial to Italy’s victory in Euro 2020—made a superb save to deny Breel Embolo as Switzerland produced the first genuine opportunity by putting him through.

After 37 minutes, Freuler put Switzerland ahead when he controlled a low cross from Vargas and sent it in at the near post, beyond Donnarumma’s ability to stop him.

In the build-up, Switzerland held possession of the ball for more than a minute, connecting 33 passes before Bologna’s Freuler put the game away.

Before the half, as the Swiss looked to match their best ever performance at the previous Euros by making it to the final eight, Donnarumma made a superb stop to push Rieder’s free-kick on to the post.

Those hosting Italy cannot claim they were unwarranted, as Germany required a late equaliser to escape losing to the Swiss in the group stage and they eliminated highly anticipated France in the last 16.

At halftime, Spalletti substituted Stephan El Shaarawy for Zaccagni; nevertheless, Italy handed up possession of the ball at the kickoff, and Switzerland doubled their lead in just 27 seconds.

Vargas, a midfielder for Augsburg who began on the left of the attack instead of Silvan Widmer due to suspension, broke into the box and curled a fantastic shot past Donnarumma.

The closest Italy got to scoring was when Swiss defender Fabian Schar struck his own goal frame after misjudging a header.

Gianluca Scamacca, who was practically invisible, also struck the post at close range, but it looked to be offside.

The teams drew twice in the World Cup 2022 qualifying round, meaning the Azzurri did not go to the tournament. However, in Germany, they triumphed over Italy for the first time since 1993, ending an 11-match losing streak.

Photo by EPA/ABEDIN TAHERKENAREH