Euro 2024: Switzerland beats Italy in the round of 16: the adventure continues!

The Swiss team is in the quarter-finals of the Euro! They beat Italy (2-0) and, better still, by teaching them a lesson. As improbable as they may seem, these three statements are very real. On a magnificent Saturday in Berlin, the Nati offered themselves one of the greatest matches in their history. Given the context and the manner. Their incredible German adventure will continue next Saturday in Düsseldorf.

Three years after its unforgettable victory against France in Bucharest, the national team will return to the quarter-finals of the European Championship. The doubts that surrounded it before the tournament have been definitively swept away. Switzerland is still this team of fabulous consistency in major tournaments. But now it can boast of having reached a milestone. 2021 was not a feat without a future.

Ndoye rather than Stergiou to replace Widmer

The story of the day perhaps begins in the 15th minute, when the whole of Switzerland found itself holding its breath at the same time. The national team had just entered their round of 16 wonderfully, confirming the idea that there was more than one shot to play against this tormented Italy. It was there, at the end of the first quarter of an hour, that Granit Xhaka sat on the ground at midfield. Was the captain affected? Was the guide going to have to stop there, when everything remained to be written? No. A handful of interminable seconds later, he was back on his two legs. No worrying residual signals? No worrying signals!

In the direct line of their draw against Germany, Switzerland gave the feeling of control. It was without the ball against the Mannschaft, it was with possession against Italy. With impressive accuracy and a riot of energy during recovery. The screenplay once again proved Murat Yakin and his choices right. The coach announced that he would replace Silvan Widmer (suspended) with Leonidas Stergiou just a few minutes after the duel against Germany. Nice bluff. Dan Ndoye was “simply” moved back a notch. This also meant trusting Ruben Vargas. The intuition would pay off. But first, Remo Freuler came through.

Vargas passer then scorer

In the tunnel leading to the pitch at the Olympic Stadium, the Bologna halfback appeared relaxed in front of the cameras. He needed some relaxation when he came up with his move in the 37th minute. A run that was far from easy to control, a perfectly struck volley from close range: Switzerland had found a way to beat Gianluigi Donnarumma. Against this Squadra Azzurra, that meant they had done the hardest part.

And then there was Ruben Vargas’ intuition. The one to start him, and the one that crossed his mind and his right foot a few seconds after returning from the break. The Augsburg winger opened his foot, curled a brilliant shot under the crossbar: Switzerland led 2-0 (46th). And since that counts too, it was supported by the loudest fans in the stands.

England or Slovakia in the quarterfinals

Was a ticket to a Euro quarter-final really going to fall “so easily” into the pocket of the Swiss, a team whose ability to even get out of its group before the competition was doubted? It may seem crazy, but the answer is yes. It simply took a bit of luck with what could have become the stroke of fate of the match. Fabian Schär’s bell-shaped header that took Yann Sommer by surprise, but which hit the post (52nd). The way was wide open.

The rest will therefore be England or Slovakia, in a quarter-final that Switzerland will have to respect, but of which it will certainly not have to be afraid. Until then, she has a week to prepare. And savor, already a little, the incredible journey traveled.

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Florian Vaney has been a journalist in the Sport-Center editorial team since 2019. Trained in the regional press, he closely follows Swiss football, from the “bank” divisions to the Super League.More informations

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