'Champions are out!' Fans react as Switzerland hands shocking 2-0 defeat to Italy in RO16

Switzerland took on reigning champions Italy in the UEFA Euro 2024 RO16 game. The Swiss have been in good form in the group stage as they won one game and drew the other two. They had a 1-1 draw against the host Germany after they conceded in the very last moment of the match. However, the defending champions had a tough time as they edged out in the final game after scoring in the very last minute against Croatia. 

The Rossocrociati started the game excellently as they looked threatening on the attack. They punished Luciano Spalletti's decision to drop Jorginho for Nicolo Fagioli in the playmaking role by shutting down his passing lanes. They blunted Italy's press by having Ricardo Rodríguez join Remo Freuler and Granit Xhaka in the build-up. 

Dan Ndoye and Ruben Vargas' constant, pacy threat pinned the opposition full-backs deeper than they should have been. Freuler was not chased down when he sliced into the box to score the opener. And the entire backline had a defensive error inside 27 seconds of the second half, giving Vargas enough time to bend it around goalie Gianluigi Donnarumma for the second. 

Switzerland shocks Italy

However, this would absolve the rest of Italy's team of accountability for finishing second best in every other part on the pitch. The Augsburg midfielder walked into the area and was given time to control and set himself before bending a stunning effort past Donnarumma's reach to put Switzerland comfortably in command.

Italy began to press after falling behind two goals, and with 15 minutes remaining, Gianluca Scamacca had a close-range effort strike the post, but it was the closest they came. Switzerland holds on to a memorable victory, defeating Italy for the first time since 1993 when Roy Hodgson was in charge. Swiss will be facing the winner between Germany and Denmark.