Switzerland vs. Italy final score: Euro 2024 result as Ruben Vargas dumps out holders, Swiss reach quarterfinals

Switzerland reached the quarterfinals of the 2024 European Championship after a dominant display against a lethargic Italy.

Murat Yakin's men asserted their authority over the Italians right from kickoff and dominated the first half, enjoying the majority of possession and attempting 10 shots, three of which were on target.

For their efforts, they were rewarded when Remo Freuler sweetly struck past Gianluigi Donnarumma, who could only get a hand to the ball before it found the back of the net.

The Swiss also hit the woodwork in the dying seconds of the first half against an Italy who looked lost at times and failed to record a shot on target before the interval. Luciano Spalletti's side were outplayed and matters got worse just 27 seconds into the second half as Ruben Vargas brilliantly found the far corner from the left of the penalty area, again leaving Donnarumma to watch the ball nestle into the net.

Spalletti made six changes coming into this match after their disappointing draw with Croatia in the final group game. Nicolo Barella suffered an early hamstring injury but managed to carry on.

But you get the feeling that Switzerland could have faced three or four different Italy starting XIs and they still would have come out on top, they were that impressive.

Despite falling two behind, Italy remained toothless and showed no real attacking threat nor any desire to fight their way back into the game.

Their best chance came as Gianluca Scamacca was open at the far post and poked the ball goalwards but was denied by the woodwork. Even then, an offside call would likely have ruled out any goal.

Yakin's side have now reached the quarterfinals in successive Euro tournaments and will face the winner of England vs. Slovakia, which takes place on Sunday.

Switzerland vs. Italy final score

Venue: Olympiastadion, Berlin

Referee: Szymon Marciniak (Poland)

Starting lineups:

Switzerland starting lineup (3-4-3): Sommer (GK) — Schar, Akanji, Rodriguez — Rieder (2. Stergiou) , Xhaka, Freuler, Aebischer (11. Steffen) — Ndoye (16. Sierro) , Embolo (18. Duah) , Vargas (14. Zuber) .

Italy starting lineup (4-3-3): Donnarumma (GK) — Di Lorenzo, Mancini, Bastoni, Darmian (24. Cambiaso) — Barella (9. Retegui) , Fagioli (7. Frattesi) , Cristante (10. Pellegrini) — Chiesa, Scamacca, El Shaarawy (20. Zaccagni) .

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Switzerland vs. Italy stats

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Switzerland vs. Italy live updates, highlights from Euro 2024

Fulltime: Switzerland 2-0 Italy

ITALY ARE OUT! Switzerland are heading to the quarterfinals yet again after a superb performance.

90 mins: The Switzerland fans are making themselves heard, they know they're about to reach the quarterfinals. There have been two minutes added on.

89 mins: Spalletti's side continue to try their luck from distance but they're all but eliminated now and they're playing like they've accepted their fate.

86 mins: Italy have now opted to dumb balls into the box but, like they have all day, Akanji and Schar are dealing with it no problem.

80 mins: Just ten minutes of regular time to play and there is still a lack of urgency from Italy.

74 mins: ITALY HIT THE POST! Scamacca has the best chance of the game for the Italians but he can only hit the post. Will they get a better opportunity than that?

73 mins: Retegui's strike from distance is weak and doesn't trouble Sommer whatsoever.

67 mins: Rider's free-kick is wasted as he fires it over the penalty area and out for a goal kick.

64 mins: Barella makes way for Retegui, perhaps he's still not fully fit from his first-half injury.

59 mins: Ndoye lets loose from outside the box on his weak foot and it's miles over the bar.

57 mins: Mancini goes into the book for a late challenge.

54 mins: That was nearly the stroke of luck Italy needed to get back into this game as Schar's header hits his own post.

47 mins: GOALLLL! The perfect start for Switzerland as Vargas picks out the far right corner wonderfully. Italy are in danger here...

Kickoff: Second half

The second half resumes...

Halftime: Switzerland 2-0 Italy

That's it for the first half where Switzerland have the lead after looking the much better side. Italy appear to be struggling for ideas when going forward but they need that to change rapidly otherwise they'll be flying home...

41 mins: Italy look lost for inspiration right now as they search for an equaliser but everything they throw at Switzerland, their defence has an answer.

37 mins: GOALLLL! Freuler fires Switzerland into the lead after a beautiful finish. Vargas' clever pass picks him out in space in the box, he sets himself up, and smashes past Donnarumma.

35 mins: Xhaka gets past Barella but the Italian has a little clip of his heels to bring him down and he's shown the first yellow card of the game.

32 mins: Rodriguez lets fly with his left foot but it's miles out and was always rising over the bar.

26 mins: El Shaarawy has his first opportunity but his shot is well blocked.

24 mins: HUGE chance for Switzerland. Italy's defence appeared to stop as they thought Embolo was offside but he was played on and he couldn't curl the ball past Donnarumma.

18 mins: El Shaarawy wins a free-kick after a foul from Xhaka. Barella catches the Swiss defence sleeping with a cheeky lofted ball but Di Lorenzo, who is in behind, can't get the shot off.

12 mins: Xhaka finds Ndoye but the Swiss forward can't make a good connection and his effort goes wide. Barella is back on the pitch and seeing if he can continue.

9 mins: Barella's gone down injured and is holding his hamstring...

8 mins: Italy have steadied the ship slightly and are seeing more of the ball now but Switzerland are the side looking the more dangerous going forward.

3 mins: It's an incredibly bright start from the Swiss as they've already found space in behind Italy's defence and have been on the front foot right from the kickoff.

Kickoff: First half

We're underway!

5 mins before kickoff: We say it every time it's played but Italy's national anthem is superb. Kickoff is next...

15 mins before kickoff: The atmosphere is building nicely in Berlin and we're almost ready for the national anthems.

30 mins before kickoff: A reminder that if this game is a tie, we will head to extra time. Stat: 15 of Italy’s last 26 knockout matches at major international tournaments have gone to extra time, including four of their last five...

1 hour before kickoff: The team news is out! Here are your starting lineups for the first round of 16 game this weekend.

Switzerland starting lineup (3-4-3): Sommer (GK) — Schar, Akanji, Rodriguez — Rieder, Xhaka, Freuler, Aebischer — Ndoye, Embolo, Vargas.

Italy starting lineup (4-3-3): Donnarumma (GK) — Di Lorenzo, Mancini, Bastoni, Darmian — Barella, Fagioli, Cristante — Chiesa, Scamacca, El Shaarawy.

1 hour 30 mins before kickoff: Do not underestimate Switzerland! They have reached the knockout stages at each of the last six major international tournaments (Euros/World Cup) since the start of the 2014 World Cup. The only nation from Europe currently enjoying a longer such run is France (7 in a row).

2 hours before kickoff: Hello, and welcome to The Sporting News' live coverage of Switzerland vs. Italy. It's the knockout stages. There's place in the quarterfinals at stake. There could even be penalty shootout. We're excited. Let's get going!

Switzerland vs. Italy kickoff time

This Euro 2024 match kicks off from the Olympiastadion on Saturday, June 29 at 6 p.m. local time in Berlin.

Here's how that time translates across some of the major territories around the globe:

Switzerland vs. Italy lineups, team news

Breel Embolo starts again after an injury-ravaged spell and continues to lead the attack, where Ruben Vargas and Dan Ndoye join him.

Switzerland starting lineup (3-4-3): Sommer (GK) — Schar, Akanji, Rodriguez — Rieder, Xhaka, Freuler, Aebischer — Ndoye, Embolo, Vargas.

Italy coach Luciano Spalletti is has reverted to a 4-3-3 after the patchy results of his back three experiment against Croatia. There will be a new face in defence, with Gianluca Mancini replacing the suspended Riccardo Calafiori . Left-back Federico Dimarco sat out training with a calf complaint on Friday and Matteo Darmian starts in his place.

The Italy boss has made changes up top as Federico Chiesa stays in the starting lineup, while Gianluca Scamacca also has another go at centre-forward at Mateo Retegui 's expense. Sky Italia reported on Friday that Stephan El Shaarawy was poised to complete a three-man forward line and he indeed starts.

Italy starting lineup (4-3-3): Donnarumma (GK) — Di Lorenzo, Mancini, Bastoni, Darmian — Barella, Fagioli, Cristante — Chiesa, Scamacca, El Shaarawy.

Switzerland vs. Italy live stream, TV channel

USA: Switzerland vs. Italy from the Olympiastadion will be televised in the United States on FS1, with a Spanish-language broadcast via TUDN, and Univision. These channels are available to stream on Fubo with the latter offering a FREE seven-day trial. ViX is also an option.

Radio coverage of the match can be followed on SiriusXM FC .

UK: Saturday’s match will be shown in the U.K. on BBC One and the free-to-air broadcaster's iPlayer and BBC Sport website platforms.

Canada: TSN and CTV are the main English language broadcasters for Euro 2024 while TVA provides French language options.

Australia: Australia's sole broadcaster for the European Championship is Optus Sport.

India: Euro 2024 matches are available to watch on on JioTV and Sony LIV. Switzerland vs. Italy can also be viewed on Sony Ten Network on TV.

If this match is not available to watch live in your location, or if you’re traveling abroad, you can use a Virtual Private Network (VPN). VPNs offer a secure and private online connection, allowing you to bypass geographical restrictions to access your favorite streaming services from any device anywhere in the world.

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