Yahoo Sports Akanji impresses as Swiss ease past Italy at EURO 2024
Italy’s defence of the European Championship is over after they were beaten 2-0 by Switzerland in Berlin.
Manchester City defender Manuel Akanji put on an almost flawless display at the back as the holders barely troubled their opponents in the first knockout game at EURO 2024.
Switzerland were the better side throughout and finally took a deserved lead eight minutes before the break with a neat finish from Remo Freuler.
With Akanji in the centre of defence, the Swiss were patient and dominated possession and they could have already been ahead when Bree Embrolo raced clear only to be denied by Gianluigi Donnarumma.
And the Italian keeper made another big save just before half-time, scrambling Fabian Rieder’s free-kick onto the post and wide.
But just 27 seconds after the restart, the Swiss doubled their advantaged with Ruben Vargas’ superb strike into the top corner.
Italy were almost given a lifeline when Fabian Schar’s miscued header looped onto the outside of the post.
Gianluca Scamacca also hit the post as they tried to find a way back but replays suggested he would have been given offside by VAR.
Switzerland will now play the winner of the last-16 game between England and Slovakia in the quarter-finals in Dusseldorf on Saturday 6 July at 17:00 (UK).
The Three Lions will have City players Kyle Walker, John Stones and Phil Foden in the squad for their last-16 game for the 17:00 (UK) kick-off in Gelsenkirchen on Sunday 30 June.
