Soccer Football - Euro 2024 - Round of 16 - Switzerland v Italy - Berlin Olympiastadion, Berlin, Germany - June 29, 2024 Switzerland's Breel Embolo embraces Italy coach Luciano Spalletti after the match REUTERS/Annegret Hilse Soccer Football - Euro 2024 - Round of 16 - Switzerland v Italy - Berlin Olympiastadion, Berlin, Germany - June 29, 2024 Italy coach Luciano Spalletti reacts REUTERS/Lee Smith BERLIN - Italy rang the changes for their round of 16 game on Saturday, but it was the settled and confident Switzerland side who came out deservedly on top to knock the defending champions out of Euro 2024, proving as reliable as a Swiss watch this tournament. Swiss coach Murat Yakin made only one change from the starting team which almost outfoxed Germany in their previous game before a late equaliser denied them top spot in the group, and even that change was unavoidable with Silvan Widmer suspended. Ruben Vargas came in and, with the Swiss already 1-0 up, struck a beautiful shot into the top corner with less than 30 seconds gone after the break.
It was no more than they deserved having completely outplayed Italy in the first half. The Italians lacked any composure with so many passes going amiss, and after multiple changes to their starting lineup they failed to gel and were without a single shot on target in the opening half. Remo Freuler's goal for the Swiss before the break did nothing to wake them from their slumber.
It was Vargas who put the cross in for Freuler's goal, hi.