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Italy are KNOCKED OUT of Euro 2024: Switzerland send the holders packing - and could face England in the quarter-finals. RECAP all the reaction from Berlin after stunning strike downed the Italians
By James Cohen and Ed Carruthers and Lewis Browning
Published: | Updated:
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Follow Germany vs Denmark
That's all from us here, but the football is carrying on tonight with host nation Germany in action in Dortmund against Denmark.
There has already been a goal ruled out - you can follow along here or by clicking down below.
For Italy, in the meantime, it's back to the drawing board. For Switzerland, well, they'll keep dreaming.
Thanks for your company this evening. See ya!
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To stick or to twist
I wonder if Italy will now change their manager.
It's bee a strange time for them, with Roberto Mancini stepping down to take over at Saudi Arabia, and they must now make the decision on if they want to stick or twist.
Some Italian fans have had their says on social media. Check out some of the reactions below...
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Spalletti takes responsibility
Italy boss Spalletti has now spoken to the press, and he's not minced his words.
I think it's best to just let him take it away...
We suffered a few individuals who had a very different pace to our own. However, if this is the tempo, it becomes difficult to talk about anything else.
The lack of tempo is one of characteristics. We don’t have many players who have that quality of being able to run hard. Now everyone does that high press and aggressive moves to win the ball back immediately. If you don’t ‘clean’ the ball within two or three passes, you will struggle, as they all crowd around you.
Now in future we need to look around and find some players with different characteristics who can do that.
The responsibility is always down to the coach, as I make the decisions. All coaches are responsible for the results we get on the field.
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Donnarumma apologises to fans
Perhaps the one player who stood up for Italy tonight was Donnarumma, but after the game, he admitted his side needed to accept how bad they were.
'We can just say sorry to our fans. It’s unacceptable, we have been poor for the entire game. That’s the reality,' Donnarumma said, according to Fabrizio Romano on X (formerly Twitter).
'We have been terrible in the first half. It’s the reality, we have to accept that.'
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Vargas awarded the MOTM award!
And what a game it was! He set up Freuler in the first half to break the deadlock and also produced a sensational strike within 27 seconds into the first half to double his side's lead.
Vargas also had a 90 per cent pass accuracy, made two driblles and two chances during the game before being subbed off.
Granit Xhaka was also excellent throuhgout, delivering a captain's performance from the centre of the field.
Sensationally, the ex-Arsenal star has only been dispossessed once during the tournament, having played every single minute for Switzerland at Euro 2024, per Squawka.
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Shearer left 'shocked' by woeful Italy
BBC Sport pundit Alan Shearer admitted that he was 'shocked' by how poor Italy were against Switzerland.
It was a seriously underwhelming performance from the defending champions who crashed out of Euro 2024 having registered just one shot on target in this afternoon's match.
'I was really shocked at how bad Italy were, they offered nothing in any position and got ran ragged the whole game. I mean, Switzerland toyed with them,' Shearer said to BBC after the match.
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Italian media blast 'unwatchable' Italy's exit
Italian news outlets have also been making their thoughts on Luciano Spalletti's side's performance in that match, with La Repubblica claiming that the Azzurri were 'unwatchable'.
La Stampa writes: 'Azzurri Humilated by Switzerland, now Italy is also on the periphery of European football.'
Corriere della Sera adds: 'A terrible Italy eliminated from the European Championships.'
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A disappointing exit for Italy, but which Swiss star should England fear?
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'They look like they have a real togetherness'
Switzerland ran to celebrate with their fans at the end of the match and were in great spirits, having booked their place in the quarter-finals of the tournament and knocking out the European Champions at the same time.
They will not be an easy opponent either for England or Slovakia, depending on who wins tomorrow afternoon, with Switzerland having outlcassed the Italians in every way this afternoon.
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Here's that stunning strike again from Vargas
A mere 27 seconds into the second half, Vargas struck to break the hearts of the defending champions.
Advancing on the Italy penalty area, he struck a sensational long-range shot into the back of the top-right corner to give his side a 2-0 lead.
Watch the epic goal in full here...
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'I've not seen an Italian team as bad as this in my lifetime'
Gary Lineker has blasted Italy's performance stating that he has 'not seen an Italian team play as bad as this in his lifetime'.
The BBC pundits have been laying into Spalletti's side who were frankly poor today. They struggled to get on the ball and were totally dominated by Switzerland throughout the match, with Granit Xhaka controlling the match with ease.
Luciano Spalletti's side have failed to really find second gear in this tournament, but have really failed to create chances throughout the tournament.
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FT: Switzerland 2-0 Italy
Switzerland are into the quarterfinals of the European Championship.
What a performance from the Swiss who were in control the whole game. Granit Xhaka dominated in midfield and was the man of the match.
Goals from Freuler and Vargas sealed the win for the Swiss and boy did they deserve the win.
Italy, meanwhile, massively underwhelmed today. They struggled to win the ball back off their opponents and just lacked any form of creativity having only one shot on target throughout the match.
So, it'll be Switzerland through to the quarter-finals and will take on the winner of England vs Slovakia.
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Switzerland 2-0 Italy
Italy fans will be disappointed with their team's performance today. They've really not got going once in this game and have only had one shot on target.
Speaking to BBC, Danny Murphy said: 'The Italian supporters will be disappointed. You can lose a game, but not like this. You can lose with a bit more tenacity, more energy. The manager has to take some responsibility changing formation and tactics. They have been woeful today.'
We've got two minutes of added time here!
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MATT BARLOW: Swiss fans are daring to celebrate
The Swiss are daring to celebrate a little. They have been subdued and slightly anxious for the last 20 minutes as Italy dominated possession, albeit without looking like scoring.
Now, with the clock ticking down into the 84th minute they have turned up the volume with the drums and cowbells to help their side over the line into the last eight.
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Switzerland 2-0 Italy
Are Switzerland starting to tire a little? They've shut up shop with five at the back but seemed to struggle to deal with a ball into the box from Italy. Despite that, they retain control but are welcoming Italy onto them here.
This game has gone pretty flat too with Italy running out of creativity around the box and lacking a spark, despite having the Lion's share of possession in the last 10 minutes.
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Switzerland 2-0 Italy
We've just crossed the 80-minute mark and Switzerland are very much in control here.
They're continuing to press and seem to have a little more energy thanks to the new legs they have on the pitch.
Italy though are not giving up. Switzerland are sitting quite deep welcoming Italy onto them but Spalletti's side are just lacking in quality.
After working the ball around the box, it comes to Pellegrini on the edge of the area, who fires a shot way over the bar.
The move sums up this match for Italy who have underwhelmed all around the park.
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Substitutsions for Switzerland
Embolo and Ndoye have both been brilliant this afternoon and have come agonisingly close to finding the back of the net.
They both make way for Duah and Sierro who are instantly into the action, with Sierro winning a corner.
The ball is sent out to Freuler on the edge of the box, who snatches at his shot, sending it wildly over the bar.
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Switzerland 2-0 Italy
Italy are enjoying a bit of possession here. It feels a while since they've passed the ball around like this in this match - that's how dominant Switzerland have been.
But they're not making much progress forward with Mancini and Bastoni touching the ball between them, before Cristante finds a way down the right flank and wins a corner.
Italy can't make the corner good with it going far too long and back out to their defenders. Wasteful.
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Switzerland 2-0 Italy
Ndoye is really having a field day agains Darmian. He breaks away from the left back who looks tired out there, before unleashing a wild effort from long-range way over the cross bar.
It's the first time that Italy have conceded more than one goal in their last nine games at major tournaments.
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Goal:Switzerland 2-0 Italy (Vargas)
WOW! What a start from Switzerland!
They take possession in the Italian half with Vargas winding up a strike from long range and sending the ball into the top right corner of the net within just 27 seconds of kick-off!
A sensational start for the Swiss but that'll be a huge blow for Italy.
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The stat's that shame Italy
According to Squawka, the defending champions have now conceded as many goals at Euro 2024, four, as they did when they won Euro 2020.
While they are missing their main man, Calafiori, in defence, this has been a really concerning performance from Spalletti's side who have failed to counter on the Swiss and win back possession.
Equally, they've also been dominated on the right and left flanks by Ndoye and Rieder, whose pace at times has been almost unplayable.
The players are coming out for the second half now, can Italy turn this around?
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Donnarumma the standout
Rio Ferdinand has given his verdict on Italy's first half, praising Donnarumma for his brilliance in net.
'We said before Donnarumma becomes Superman when he's in an Italy shirt. he makes a wonderful save against Embolo. He's so dependable in their goal and they're lucky to have him the way that they've been playing. Italy have been so terrible.'
Shearer added: 'Without him they'd already be out.'
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Italy won't want to see this stat...
Granit Xhaka has completed 23 more passes than any Italian player in that opening first-half, according to Statman Dave.
The captain has been sensational in this opening 45 minutes, controlling the midfield both in and out of possession and has recorded 55 passes in the first half.
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A picture that sums up Italy's first half
It's been a seriously disappointing first 45 minutes from Italy. We thought that Spalletti's six changes would have helped freshen the defending champions up but they've really found it hard to control the ball and mount attacks at Switzerland.
In fact, they've not recorded a shot on goal with Switzerland having 10 attempts to their one.
'Italy have offered nothing in any position at all, they've been awful. Switzerland have been excellent and much the better team,' said Alan Shearer on BBC's live coverage.
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Half-time: Switzerland 1-0 Italy
A deserved lead for Switzerland after Freuler's first-half strike but Italy were poor in that opening 45 minutes.
They've failed to control the ball and win it back from Switzerland - who will be disappointed that they're not 2-0 up after Embolo's early strike.
Luciano Spalletti will be fuming at his players at half-time and without Donnarumma Italy would be much worse off.
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Switzerland 1-0 Italy
We're fast approaching half-time here and Italy seem to be getting more and more frustrated.
El Shaarawy has just conceded Italy's second yellow on the right flank of the pitch - just next to their own penalty area.
Switzerland will have a free-kick here and Rieder almost catches Donnarumma off guard. That would have been huge just on the stroke of half-time but the Italian goalkeeper just gets his hands to the ball to keep it out.
Clever work from Rieder - fantastic technique.
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MATT BARLOW: Well deserved goal
Well deserved goal. It’s Ndoye’s run right to left that drags Italy out of shape and when Vargas ducks back inside Freuler has recognised the space and made his run.
Freuler’s first touch not the best but as there’s nobody near him he can wait for the ball to drop and beat Donnarumma for power from 10m.
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Goal:Switzerland 1-0 Italy (Freuler)
It was coming to be fair! The defending champions go behind for the fourth game in a row and its starting to look concerning.
But Switzerland do deserve that! Vargas has been outstanding putting balls in during this opening 40 minutes and this time finds Freuler inside the penalty area.
The Nottingham Forest star controls the ball, winds up a shot and fires it into the bottom left corner of the goal.
Advantage Switzerland.
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Switzerland 0-0 Italy
Italy are really struggling to get the ball back here. Switzerland have a just been brilliant in possession, having had 66 per cent of the ball. They've now had eight goal attempts while Italy have had a dismal one.
A long ball goes through to Rieders on the right, who cuts iniside on the byline and isn't shut down quickly enough.
He clips the ball across but it's a really poor cross, scuffing his left boot across the ball into the hands of Donarumma.
Switzerland have got themselves into great positions but haven't quite had that clinical edge.
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MATT BARLOW: Injury concerns now for ex-Arsenal stars
Xhaka looks as if he has been feeling some sort of problem in his groin on the left side. Has been stretching and wincing at times.
He’s been down on the floor with it once and after spraying that pass out wide to Ndoye he stamped his left foot down on the ground a couple of times as if something was aggravating him… still he’s dictating play quite superbly deep in the Swiss midfield.
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Barella back on
Barrella is back on the pitch after appearing to hurt his hamstring and Italy seem to be looking a bit brighter.
Scamacca has crashed forward with the ball, and races through before winning a free-kick inside the Switzerland half.
It's about 27 metres out from the goal, with a crowd of players around the ball. What can they do here?
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MATT BARLOW: The better team with the better tempo
Ndoye, who was so dangerous up front against Germany, has started as right wing-back for the Swiss.
Rieder looks like he has the job of disturbing Fagioli, Italy’s deep lying playmaker… it’s a 4-3-2-1 formation, and it has been a composed start for Switzerland, the better team with a better tempo in the first eight or nine mins.
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Switzerland 0-0 Italy
Switzerland are looking much the better team so far and Vargas has been a big threat down this left side, a pretty good change from Murat Yakin.
Bit of a worry though here for Italy with Nicolo Barella appearing to go down holding his hamstring.
'Their best midfielder. This would be a huge blow for Italy,' says BBC pundit Danny Murphy.
The medics are on the field and Barella has risen to his feet but he looks in some discomfort, clutching his leg.
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'Probably needed'
Danny Murphy, speaking on BBC's commentary of the match, believes that Italy's changes were 'probably needed' following their late draw against Croatia.
Perhaps the former pro is right Italy really did need a bit of freshness, but so far Switzerland have swamped them.
They're back on the attack again and Vargas has just put a brilliant cross in.
Italy clear the danger but they're looking slow to get off the mark here.
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A 'mole' in the Italy camp?
Concerns have been raised this week by Luciano Spalletti that his players had leaked his side's formation against Croatia to members of the media.
Spalletti raged during his press conference earlier in the week claiming that those who were allegedly leaking information were 'weak'.
MORE BELOW...
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Here come the players!
Just a reminder, and a bit of a surprise, Jorginho has been dropped from Spalletti's starting line-up after the Italy boss made SIX changes to his side that secured a last-gasp draw against Crotia.
Drastic measures from the Italy boss, but will it pay off? We'll find out very shortly with the anthems coming up now!
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Switzerland lead the way on goals
Switzerland are one of the top-ranked sides at the tournament for goals scored at Euro 2024 so far, having scored five goals to put them level with both Spain and Portugal.
Italy, meanwhile, have struggled to find the back of the net and sit 10th in the rankings, having only scored three times.
Against Croatia, Italy had 13 attempts on goal but could only get three of them on target.
Luciano Spalletti will be hoping his side can be much more clinical today...
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What a way to qualify!
We've seen some sensational goals at Euro 2024 so far, but this has to be up there as one of the most sensational moments of the tournament thus far.
At 1-0 down against Croatia, Mattia Zaccagni would equalise with this stunning curling effort to send Italy through to the knockout stages of the competition in the 98th minute of their clash.
Had it not been for this moment of magic, it could have been Luka Modric and Croatia playing tonight.
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An underwhelming tournament so far for the Azzurri?
Italy have come under some scrutiny over their performances so far at Euro 2024, having lost once, drawn once and won once during the group stages.
It was their disappointing 1-0 defeat by Spain that raised the most alarm bells, with Luciano Spaletti's side conceding an own goal in the 55th minute of the game - having only four attempts on goal.
The defending champions have struggled to create chances thus far at the tournament, with Wayne Rooney and Alan Shearer having given a candid appraisal of the 2020 European Champions.
'I think on what we've seen tonight they were poor, there seemed to be a lack of ideas when they got into the final third and when it got to the two forwards there was a lack of movement,' Rooney told the BBC when assessing Italy's display.
READ MORE BELOW...
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How did Switzerland get here?
Murat Yakin's side have enjoyed a decent tournament so far having gone unbeaten at Euro 2024.
Their only victory came against Hungary in their opening game of the tournament, in which they claimed a 3-1 victory. They showed their resilience in their second match, coming back to seal a draw against an envigorated Scotland team following their disappointing defeat against Germany in their first game.
Xherdan Shaqiri provided a moment of magic with a sensational goal that cancelled out Scott McTominay's opener, with Switzerland going on to seal their spot in the last 16 with a 1-1 draw against Germany, one of the favourites to win the tournament.
Dan Ndoye was their lone goalscorer that day and the 23-year-old has been one of the players to watch so far at the tournament.
Will he have a big role to play again later this afternoon?
Kick-off is fast approaching and we're set to get underway here at the Olympiastadion Berlin at 5pm GMT.
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A big game for England and Slovakia
No doubt England and Slovakia will be watching this match with a keen eye...
As the players step out onto the pitch to assess the conditions, they will know a berth in the quarter-finals awaits and a potential tie between the winners of tomorrow's last-16 clash between England and Slovakia.
Will we see a repeat of the Euro 2020 final in the next round of games?
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Italy team news!
Riccardo Calafiori is suspended after picking up two yellow cards in the group stages also, so he'll miss out of this afternoon's clash.
Meanwhile Federico Dimarco is out with a calf strain for Italy, while Jorginho also misses out alongside Giacomo Raspadori and Mateo Retegui on a space in the starting line up.
Gianluca Scamacca, Stephen El Shaarawy, Bryan Cristante, Nicolo Fagioli and Federico Chiesa all come into Luciano Spalletti's first XI - with Gianluca Manchini starting at centre back in place of Calafiori.
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MATT BARLOW: It's a hot day in Berlin!
The last time I was at Berlin’s Olympic Stadium, on the opening weekend of the tournament, I was in my coat and dodging showers… today there is oppressive heat and very little breeze. Summer has settled in Germany. Fans are seeking shade, hydration and something to fans themselves with…
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TEAM NEWS: How Switzerland and Italy line-up
One change in now for Switzerland with Ruben Vargas coming in for Silvan Widmer who was suspended after the latter was suspended after picking up two yellow cards during the group stage of the tournament.
Switzerland XI: Sommer; Akanji, Schar, Rodriguez; Aebischer, Freuler, Xhaka, Rieder; Vargas, Ndoye, Embolo
Italy XI: Donnarumma; Di Lorenzo, Mancini, Bastoni, Darmian; Barella, Fagioli, Cristante; Chiesa, Scamacca, El Shaarawy
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Can Switzerland shock the world again?
Three years (and one day) ago, Switzerland pulled off one of the biggest shocks at Euro 2020.
To the surprise of pretty much everyone, the Swiss came from 3-1 down to beat tournament favourites France and send them packing.
Late goals from Haris Seferovic and Mario Gavranovic helped tie the match and send it to penalties - which they eventually won 5-4.
Neither of those players are part of their squad in Germany but fans will hope they can still conjure up some of the same magic tonight.
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The penalty advice that could save a nation...
As we enter the knockout rounds of the competition, we must also prepare for the possibility of heading into a penalty shootout.
It's something that most England fans will fear given the disastrous history that the Three Lions have from the spot.
Here, Professor Geir Jordet explains to Mail Sport the psychology behind penalties and how to not choke whilst taking them.
Click below to read more...
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The atmosphere is building in Berlin!
We're still over an hour and a half away from kick-off at the Olympiastadion but that hasn't stopped the fans from partying!
Supporters from both nations have been seen embracing the festivities ahead of the game - with plenty of face-paint on show.
It's also absolutely scorching in Berlin at the moment, so there's been a few ice creams accompanying the pre-match pints.
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Here's how the knockout rounds look...
After the final set of group stage fixtures on Wednesday, the knockout round matches were confirmed and there's some tasty games ahead.
England fans will be well aware that the Three Lions will be in action on Sunday afternoon when they take on Slovakia in Gelsenkirchen.
Meanwhile, after this afternoon's match, hosts Germany will take on Dortmund in a highly-anticipated clash in Dortmund.
The most exciting fixture, however, will certainly be France's meeting with Belgium on Monday - a repeat of the 2018 World Cup semi-finals.
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Are the reigning champions in danger of an early exit?
After lifting the Euro 2020 title at Wembley, it's been a fairly difficult time for the Italian national side.
They failed to qualify for the World Cup in Qatar and have now endured a relatively underwhelming start to Euro 2024.
And it hasn't taken long for Luciano Spalletti to show his frustrations, as he ripped into a reporter after their 1-1 draw with Croatia.
Click below to read more...
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Good afternoon!
Welcome to Mail Sport's live blog covering the first game of the knockout rounds at Euro 2024 - as Switzerland and Italy prepare to go head-to-head.
The two nations endured contrasting experience in the group stage with Switzerland boasting an unbeaten record so far in the tournament.
Meanwhile, the Azzurri have been somewhat underwhelming after a narrow victory over Albania was followed by defeat to Spain and draw to Croatia.
Luciano Spalletti will be hoping for a more convincing performance from his side today, when they kick-off at 5pm.
We'll have team news, updates and more as we build-up to the match... so don't go anywhere!
- What the stats say
- Switzerland 2-0 Italy (Vargas)
- Second half underway!
- A picture that sums up Italy's first half
- Half-time: Switzerland 1-0 Italy
- Switzerland 1-0 Italy (Freuler)
- Italy team news!
- TEAM NEWS: How Switzerland and Italy line-up
- Here's how the knockout rounds look...
- Good afternoon!
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Share or comment on this article: Italy are KNOCKED OUT of Euro 2024: Switzerland send the holders packing - and could face England in the quarter-finals. RECAP all the reaction from Berlin after stunning strike downed the Italians
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