Berlin: Ruben Vargas’ assist and goal paved the way for Switzerland’s 2-0 victory over titleholder Italy in the Euro 2024 last 16 at Berlin Olympia stadium late on Saturday. Switzerland controlled possession and pressed Italy onto the back foot but still Murat Yakin’s team had to wait until the 24th minute before Breel Embolo’s effort forced goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma into action.
The Nati eventually broke the deadlock with 37 minutes played when Vargas’ cutback pass found Remo Feulner, who made no mistake and tapped home past Donnarumma, reports Xinhua. Switzerland continued on the front foot and doubled its advantage within seconds of the restart as Vargas finished the job into the top right corner following a counterattack.
Harmless Italy almost halved the deficit against the run of the flow after Switzerland defender Fabian Schar cleared the ball to the right post. Switzerland will face either England or Slovakia in the quarterfinals on July 6.
On the other hand, for the first time in eight years Germany booked the quarterfinals berth after goals from Kai Havertz and Jamal Musiala secured the host a 2-0 win over Denmark in last 16 at Dortmund’s Signal Iduna Park.
The flow of the game got disrupted as the match was suspended due to severe weather at the half hour mark. After the restart, Germany should have opened the scoring, but Havertz couldn’t beat Schmeichel by header while Schlotterbeck headed into the side netting.
Denmark showed signs of life in the closing period of the first half but Rasmus Hojlund couldn’t overcome Germany custodian Manuel Neuer after a counterattack. After the half time, Denmark’s Joachim Andersen got a goal disallowed due to an offside position by Thomas Delaney.
Andersen remained in the thick of things as his handball inside the box handed Germany a penalty. Havertz stepped up and converted the penalty to break the deadlock in the 53rd minute. Havertz had the chance to make it two moments later, but the Arsenal striker couldn’t beat Schmeichel following a one-on-one.
Denmark opened up and pushed forward but for all that Neuer was equal to Hojlund’s effort on target in the 66th minute. Schmeichel was hapless two minutes later as Schlotterbeck set up Musiala, who scored with a well-placed curl into the top right corner to put the win beyond doubt.
Denmark never recovered from the second blow whereas Germany remained wasteful with their finish in the closing stages. The Germans will face either Spain or Georgia in the quarterfinals on July 5.
