Euro 2024: Switzerland edge out Italy, Germany march on

Defending champions Italy crashed out of Euro 2024 in the round of 16 after a 2-0 defeat to Switzerland with goals from Remo Freuler and Ruben Vargas on Saturday. Meanwhile, Kai Havertz and Jamal Musiala's second-half goals sent hosts Germany into the quarterfinals with a 2-0 win over Denmark after their match was delayed by a thunderstorm.

Though the Swiss defended well, the Italians made their job all the easier with bad passing and poor decision-making, giving the ball away cheaply in central positions and failing to press with any vigor as they headed for the exit.

After a slow, tenuous start on a sweltering evening in Berlin, Switzerland should have taken the lead in the 24th minute when Breel Embolo was played in, but his attempt to wait out Gianluigi Donnarumma didn't succeed and the Italian goalkeeper comfortably parried his curled shot.

It was an early warning of what was to come, however, and the Italians could not hold on to the ball at all in the first half with even the most perfunctory passes finding a red shirt, rather than a blue one.

The only bright spot for the Italians was Stephan El Shaaraway, who had a golden chance of his own in the 26th minute with a typical jinking run, but despite doing well to get the ball back onto his right foot, his shot was blocked for a corner and, bafflingly, he was withdrawn at halftime.

Looking far more like defending champions than their sluggish opponents, the Swiss breakthrough came in the 37th minute with brilliantly-worked goal as they pulled the Italians apart.

Michel Aebischer roamed into the middle of the pitch, opening space on the left for Vargas, and though his pin-point pass tested Freuler's first touch, the midfielder hammered the ball home to send his side in ahead at the break.

Whatever Spalletti said at half-time did not have the desired effect and his side were two down within a minute, with Italy's ponderous, flat-footed defense taking on a spectator's role as Vargas curled a stunning shot into the top corner.

Elsewhere, the clash between Germany and Denmark was suspended for 20 minutes in the first half due to the weather and remained goalless until Danish defender Joachim Andersen went from hero to zero soon after the break when his close-range finish was disallowed for offside before he conceded a penalty converted by Havertz in the 53rd minute.

Nico Schlotterbeck earlier had a goal ruled out for a foul in the build-up as Germany started strongly in front of an expectant crowd, but Denmark grew into the game and went close either side of halftime.

The hosts established an unassailable lead in the 68th minute, however, when Musiala ran on to a ball over the top and curled home his third goal of the tournament to put Germany into the last eight, where they will face Spain or Georgia.

(With input from Reuters)