Switzerland v Italy LIVE: Final score and result as Ruben Vargas goal knocks champions out of Euro 2024

Italy, the reigning European champions, are out of Euro 2024 after a shockingly poor performance saw them beaten 2-0 by Switzerland in Berlin.

From the start the Swiss dominated. They controlled possession, pressed high and turned the ball over inside Italy’s half regularly. However, there seemed to be a missing ingredient for them as it took 24 minutes for Breel Embolo to draw the first save out of Gianluigi Donnarumma.

Yet when the deadlock was broken, Remo Freuler making a run from deep to collect the ball and smoke it past the goalkeeper from inside the box, Switzerland never looked back.

Ruben Vargas added an all important second goal just 27 seconds into the second half with a curling screamer and when Granit Xhaka leading from the middle of the pitch they stopped Italy from gaining a foothold to mount a response.

Relive the latest action from Switzerland vs Italy below.

Euro 2024: Switzerland v Italy

• REPORT: Out-thought and outplayed: How insipid Italy tumbled out of Euro 2024

• Switzerland defeat Italy 2-0 in first knockout tie

• Swiss set up potentially quarter-final with England should Three Lions beat Slovakia tomorrow

• 24’ SAVE! - Embolo is played in behind but Donnarumma keeps out the shot (SWI 0-0 ITA)

• 37’ GOAL! - Freuler completes tidy move to put Swiss ahead (SWI 1-0 ITA)

• 45’ SAVE! - Donnarumma almost caught out by Reider with a shot from range (SWI 1-0 ITA)

• 46’ GOAL! - Vargas adds a second after the break (SWI 2-0 ITA)

• 75’ POST! - Scamacca hits the woodwork (SWI 2-0 ITA)

Switzerland 2 - 0 Italy

Out-thought and outplayed: How insipid Italy tumbled out of Euro 2024

19:48 , Mike Jones

Arrivederci to the Azzurri, campione d’Europa no more. At the ground where they won their fourth World Cup, Italy’s defence of their European crown came to a premature, timid end.

Marcello Lippi’s team assured themselves of immortality in Berlin 18 years ago; Luciano Spalletti’s side got only ignominy. They were dismal in defeat.

Out-thought and outplayed: How insipid Italy tumbled out of Euro 2024

Germany v Denmark LIVE: Line-ups and team news as hosts chase place in Euro 2024 quarter-finals

19:25 , Mike Jones

Switzerland become the first team into the Euro 2024 quarter-finals. Next up Germany take on Denmark to see who will join them there.

Germany are perhaps favourites for this one but Denmark will be tough to beat and this could be a close contest. You can follow the build-up and action from that game right here:

Germany v Denmark LIVE: Line-ups and team news from Euro 2024 last-16 tie

FT Switzerland 2-0 Italy

19:20 , Mike Jones

Switzerland midfielder, Fabian Rieder said: “The feeling is great because we showed a really good performance. We showed from the first second that we really wanted to win this game.

“The spirit is incredible; everyone is happy, everyone runs for the other one, and I think we showed that on the pitch.”

FT Switzerland 2-0 Italy

19:20 , Mike Jones

FT Switzerland 2-0 Italy

19:14 , Mike Jones

More from Micah Richards who said: “It was almost like the Italian’s today were doing there own jobs and there was no cohesion between them. No one knew when to drop, when to step up and when to pass the ball.”

Alan Shearer added: “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.”

FT Switzerland 2-0 Italy

19:10 , Mike Jones

Micah Richards assessing Italy’s performance: “They were missing some key players. Riccardo Calafiori has been outstanding and one of the key players of the tournament.

“I thought Dimarco’s left foot down that left-hand side was a miss.”

FT Switzerland 2-0 Italy

19:04 , Mike Jones

“Switzerland will be a big problem for England, if they get through the quarter-finals.” Said Rio Ferdinand after watching that performance from the Swiss.

Gareth Southgate will be feeling lucky though. Slovakia and Switzerland are the teams to beat for his team to reach the semi-finals.

FT Switzerland 2-0 Italy

19:03 , Mike Jones

Alan Shearer speaking on BBC One: “Miles better. Switzerland totally dominated that game, they were absolutely fantastic. They looked really fit and scored two fantastic goals, they deserved their quarter-final spot.”

FT Switzerland 2-0 Italy

18:55 , Mike Jones

Switzerland are now through to the quarter-finals and will potentially face England. Gareth Southgate’s men take on Slovakia in their last-16 tie tomorrow and the winner of that one with take on the impressive Swiss side.

Full-time! Switzerland 2-0 Italy

18:53 , Mike Jones

90+2 mins: There goes the whistle!

The reigning champions have been knocked out of Euro 2024 at the first knockout hurdle. A cool, composed and clinical performance from Switzerland was more than enough to get past an underpar Italy.

The Swiss look like potential dark horses in this tournament and have proven it today. For just the second time in their history Switzerland reach the last eight.

Switzerland 2-0 Italy

18:51 , Mike Jones

90 mins: Just the two minutes of added time to add on. Two minutes before Switzerland reach the Euro 2024 quarter-finals.

Switzerland 2-0 Italy

18:48 , Mike Jones

87 mins: Pellegrini whips a cross into the box and there’s a few shouts for handball against one of the Swiss players. For now the game goes on but VAR is probably checking that incident.

It looked innocent enough.

Switzerland 2-0 Italy

18:45 , Mike Jones

84 mins: It’s not going to happen for Italy. Switzerland look so calm and comfortable on the ball and like they’ve got bags of time to work it out of their own half.

Manuel Akanji is commanding the defence perfectly and there’s no way through for the reigning champions.

Switzerland 2-0 Italy

18:41 , Mike Jones

81 mins: Into the final 10 minutes now and Italy are well in thr last chance saloon. The good news for them is that they’re getting up the pitch and forcing Switzerland to defend.

Manuel Akanji rises in the box and nods away a cross.

Switzerland 2-0 Italy

18:39 , Mike Jones

78 mins: Switzerland win a corner and they’d love to put this match to bed now. The ball is delivered into the box by substitute Sierro who swings it out to the edge of the penalty area.

Remo Freuler is waiting and goes for goal with his first touch but drills the effort over the top.

Switzerland 2-0 Italy

18:36 , Mike Jones

75 mins: Woodwork!

This game might not be over just yet. Zaccagni makes a darting run into the box as a chipped pass comes over the top. He gets there before anyone else and nods the ball across to Scamacca who sidefoots a shot onto the near post!

Italy could have got one back there.

Switzerland 2-0 Italy

18:32 , Mike Jones

72 mins: Switzerland go to the bench now and bring on some reinforcements for the final 20 minutes or so. Fabian Rieder and Ruben Vargas are taken off with Steven Zuber and Leonidas Stergiou introduced.

Switzerland 2-0 Italy

18:29 , Mike Jones

69 mins: Here’s a bit of Italian possession but they’re going nowhere in a hurry. Passing the ball around the centre circle trying to draw Switzerland into a press which isn’t coming.

Chiesa receives the ball and drives at Aebischer where he wins a corner. The set piece is swung into the box but flies over the heads of everyone involved.

Switzerland 2-0 Italy

18:26 , Mike Jones

66 mins: Nearly!

Rodriguez hangs a cross into the box where Freuler is waiting. The ball it a little too high for him so he attempts a bicycle kick and misses the ball by some way.

Switzerland 2-0 Italy

18:24 , Mike Jones

64 mins: Lovely play from Embolo who receives the ball, holds it up and wins a foul in the middle of the pitch.

Italy make another change with Barella taken off to make way for Mateo Retegui who will slot in up top alongside Gianluca Scamacca.

Switzerland 2-0 Italy

18:21 , Mike Jones

61 mins: Fagioli looks to thread a pass through the middle up to Scamacca who is bullied away from the ball by Akanji.

The Man City defender physically knocks the forward away, takes over possession and passes to left to allow Switzerland to work the ball out from the back.

Switzerland 2-0 Italy

18:18 , Mike Jones

58 mins: There are some glum faces on the Italian bench as this match goes on. Switzerland have been good. They’ve kept to their plan, took their chances and played with confidence.

Italy are chasing the game and making no headway.

Switzerland 2-0 Italy

18:15 , Mike Jones

55 mins: A free kick from Schar gets pumped long over to the opposite wing where Vargas brings the ball under control. He looks to dribble into the box but gets tackled and loses possession.

Despite their lead Switzerland are still putting pressure on the Italians.

Switzerland 2-0 Italy

18:13 , Mike Jones

52 mins: Granit Xhaka will marshall Switzerland to the full time whistle. He’s the captain and the central figure in midfield.

A notable factor in this scoreline has been Switzerland’s desire to press high, they’ve done it well and have kept Italy pinned in their own half.

Post! Out of knowhere, Fragioli attempts to chip the defence but Fabian Schar is there to nod the ball. He turns it towards his own goal and watches as the ball drops onto the far post!

Switzerland 2-0 Italy

18:09 , Mike Jones

49 mins: It took Switzerland just 27 seconds to score from the second half kick off. Italy have a mountain to climb now and there could be plenty more goals coming in this match.

GOAL! Switzerland 2-0 Italy (Vargas, 46’)⚽️

18:07 , Mike Jones

46 mins: Stunner!

Italy give the ball away and Switzerland bring it down the left wing. A small pass takes it to the feet of Ruben Vargas who shifts it to the right and whips a fine effort into the far top corner.

Switzerland have their cushion now.

Second half! Switzerland 1-0 Italy

18:06 , Mike Jones

Italy make a change at the break with Luciano Spalletti bringing on Mattia Zaccagni to replace Stephan El Shaarawy.

HT Switzerland 1-0 Italy

18:01 , Mike Jones

With five, Switzerland have scored more first half goals at Euro 2024 than any other team in the competition.

HT Switzerland 1-0 Italy

17:57 , Mike Jones

Here’s a look at Switzerland’s opening goal:

HT Switzerland 1-0 Italy

17:53 , Mike Jones

Half-time! Switzerland 1-0 Italy

17:49 , Mike Jones

45+3 mins: Switzerland were the better team of the first half and they’ve squeezed themselves into the lead. There’s a lot of improvement to be made from Italy who are now chasing this game.

The Swiss are 45 minutes away from the quarter-finals. All to play for in the second half.

Switzerland 1-0 Italy

17:47 , Mike Jones

45 mins: Three minutes of added time to play.

Save! Rieder fanices one and takes a shot from outside the box. He curls it towards the near post where Donnarumma leaps to his left and pushes the ball onto the post.

Switzerland 1-0 Italy

17:45 , Mike Jones

43 mins: In theory there should be more space for Switzerland now as they look for a second goal. Italy need to be more expansive which will leave gaps.

Switzerland have possession and are running the clock down to half-time.

Switzerland 1-0 Italy

17:41 , Mike Jones

40 mins: The deadlock is broken and Italy have gone behind for a fourth time at Euro 2024. They’re dangerously when they have to score and there’s no way they won’t adapt to a more positive and aggressive approach.

Switzerland need to be careful, they’ll need a second goal before feeling comfortable.

GOAL! Switzerland 1-0 Italy (Freuler, 37’)⚽️

17:39 , Mike Jones

37 mins: Oh just ignore me!

Switzerland take the lead with a fine move. Ruben Vargas receives the ball on the left and pulls over a couple of defenders before slotting a square pass into the middle.

Remo Freuler arrives from deep, his first touch takes him away from the nearest centre-back then the second pings the ball into the back of the net!

Switzerland 0-0 Italy

17:37 , Mike Jones

36 mins: In the crowd the Switzerland fans are making themselves heard as they watch their team continue to dominate possession.

Worryingly these opening 36 minutes remind me of the Group C games featuring England. It could be a long, long while before we see a goal.

Switzerland 0-0 Italy

17:35 , Mike Jones

33 mins: Italy can’t get out of their own half. Alessandro Bastoni attempts to come down the left wing but runs out of play under pressure.

Switzerland respond with Fabian Rieder shifting into space on the right then drilling a low pass into the arms of Donnarumma.

Switzerland 0-0 Italy

17:32 , Mike Jones

30 mins: It’s a warm evening in Berlin which is probably a factor into the casual pace of play. Italy are rarely in a rush to make things happen and Switzerland are repeatedly probing inside their opponents’ half.

Rodriguez takes a shot from range but smokes the ball over the top.

Switzerland 0-0 Italy

17:28 , Mike Jones

27 mins: Close!

Action at the other end now. Stephan El Shaarawy nods an aerial ball across to Federico Chiesa who twists and weaves his way into the penalty area.

He shakes a tackle and gets off a shot only for Manuel Akanji to block the danger and turn the ball out for a corner.

Switzerland 0-0 Italy

17:26 , Mike Jones

24 mins: There’s been spaces for Switzerland to operate in between the lines but they’ve been lacking with a cutting final pass to properly cause Italy issues.

Save! Michel Aebischer dinks a chip over the top and picks out Embolo’s run. He shifts the ball onto his right foot and shoots but Gianluigi Donnarumma is up to the task and palms the ball away.

Best chance of the match so far!

Switzerland 0-0 Italy

17:23 , Mike Jones

21 mins: Switzerland are patient in possession and manage to work it up the pitch. Embolo is given the ball by Xhaka and plays it across to Dan Ndoye hoping for a one-two.

Embolo looks to burst into the box but Italy are strong defensively and recover the ball before he gets to it.

Switzerland 0-0 Italy

17:18 , Mike Jones

18 mins: Federico Chiesa helps Italy up the pitch before leaving the ball to Nicolo Fagioli. He threads a pass over to the enterprising Bryan Cristante whose low pass into the box wins a corner.

Switzerland defend is well enough.

Switzerland 0-0 Italy

17:16 , Mike Jones

15 mins: Michel Aebischer curls a free kick into the box but it’s too close to Gianluigi Donnarumma who plucks it out of the air without too much trouble.

Now there’s time for a bit of Italian possession.

Switzerland 0-0 Italy

17:13 , Mike Jones

12 mins: Nicolo Barella has gone down for Italy and looks to have pulled a hamstring. He hobbles off the pitch as he team turn over the ball and look the counter attack.

After their foray forward is stopped, Barella jogs back onto the pitch so the knock doesn’t seem too bad.

Granit Xhaka then floats a diagonal ball into the Italy penalty area. Breel Embolo is the target and the forward manages to get to the ball but he’s on the stretch and can’t control it cleanly.

Switzerland 0-0 Italy

17:10 , Mike Jones

9 mins: Italy are defending deep and allowing Switzerland to have the ball. The Swiss look slightly unnerved to be in possession for so long but are looking to make runs into small gaps.

Ricardo Rodriguez comes out of the defence and drives forward but he loses the ball just as he gets into the box.

Switzerland 0-0 Italy

17:08 , Mike Jones

6 mins: These opening minutes have all belonged to Switzerland. Ruben Vargas is sent the ball and looks to come down the left wing. He takes on Giovanni Di Lorenzo and skips around the defender before whipping a cross into the box.

Italy’s centre-backs deal with the ball but these are positive signs for Switzerland.

Switzerland 0-0 Italy

17:04 , Mike Jones

3 mins: The corner ball is whipped into the middle and it’s no surprise that Italy have everyone back to defend it. The cross comes over to Gianluca Mancini who strongly nods it away from the danger zone.

Kick off! Switzerland 0-0 Italy

17:02 , Mike Jones

Switzerland kick off the knockout stages and work the ball over to the right sided defender, Fabian Schar.

He lifts a long ball down the right side of the pitch and finds Breel Embolo who brings the ball into the box and helps the Swiss win the first corner of the game.

Switzerland vs Italy

16:55 , Mike Jones

The teams make their way out onto the pitch in Berlin.

This is the first of the knockout matches and there are good feelings around Switzerland who have played so far in this tournament. Italy seem like a side still transitioning into an experienced group but they are stubborn and know how to win.

Can Switzerland shock the Italians?

Kick off is up next...

Switzerland vs Italy

16:52 , Mike Jones

Gianluca Mancini is the first Italian to make his Euros debut in a knockout round match, since the introduction the group stage in 1980.

Switzerland vs Italy

16:48 , Mike Jones

Overall, the Italians have seen more games go to extra time than any other nation across the World Cup and European Championship (21), and have contested the joint-highest number of penalty shootouts, along with Spain (both 11).

Switzerland vs Italy

16:42 , Mike Jones

15 of Italy’s last 26 knockout matches at major international tournaments have gone to extra time, including four of their last five.

We could be in for a long one today.

Switzerland vs Italy

16:36 , Mike Jones

Switzerland have reached the knockout stages at each of the last six major international tournaments (European Championship/World Cup) since the start of the 2014 World Cup.

The only European nation enjoying a longer such run is France (seven in a row).

Euro 2024’s eliminated teams prove the controversial format is working

16:30 , Mike Jones

It took 36 games to get rid of eight teams. It will take 15 more to dispense with another 15. There can be a lopsided element to Euro 2024, taking a long time to remove one-third of sides, then rushing to expel the others. The last few days have been laced with reprieves for those who occupied third place; the way 16 of 24 advanced meant Slovenia and Slovakia could settle for draws in their final group games.

At times, it underlined the argument that there is a purity and a greater sense of jeopardy to the old model of four groups of four. Certainly, overloaded with quality outfits, Groups B and D were a throwback to the days of 16-team European Championships; reasons to rue the expansion, perhaps. Had the tournament been smaller there would have been more pool-stage games such as Croatia against Italy, with everything on the line. As it transpired, Italy would have been out but for their very late leveller.

Euro 2024’s eliminated teams prove the controversial format is working

Switzerland vs Italy

16:23 , Mike Jones

Since winning 1-0 in a May 1993 World Cup qualifier, Switzerland are winless in 11 matches against Italy in all competitions (D6 L5).

They are only on longer winless runs against England (13 games) and Russia (12, including games as USSR), while Italy are only on longer current unbeaten runs against Finland (14) and Turkey (13).

Switzerland vs Italy

16:16 , Mike Jones

This will be Switzerland and Italy’s fifth meeting at a major international tournament.

The Swiss won both games at the 1954 World Cup (2-1 in the group and 4-1 in the group play-off) but Italy have won the last two, 3-0 wins in the group stages of the 1962 World Cup and at Euro 2020.

Italy’s memories of Berlin

16:10 , Mike Jones

This match takes place at Berlin’s Olympiastadion, where Italy beat France on penalties to win the 2006 World Cup.

Coach Luciano Spalletti saidd: "Beside the fact everyone remembers the moment we enjoyed in Berlin when we won the [2006 World Cup] final, on the coaching team with us we have ‘Gigi’ Buffon, who has told everyone about it.

"We have been reliving the excitement which we enjoyed watching from home back in 2006."

Switzerland vs Italy team changes

16:04 , Mike Jones

Switzerland make one change to the team that drew 1-1 with Germany last time out. Silvan Widmer is suspended so Ruben Vargas is brought in to bolster the forward line.

Italy make six changes to the team that lined-up against Croatia in their final group match.

Riccardo Calafiori is suspended so misses the match. Federico Dimarco, Lorenzo Pellegrini, Giacomo Raspadori, Jorginho and Mateo Retegui are all omitted with Gianluca Scamacca, Federico Chiesa, Nicolo Fagioli, Bryan Cristante, Gianluca Mancini and Stephen El Shaarawy all brought in.

Italy starting XI

15:59 , Mike Jones

Italy XI: Donnarumma; Di Lorenzo, Mancini, Bastoni, Darmian; Cristante, Fagioli, Barella; Chiesa, Scamacca, El Shaarawy

Pre-match thoughts from Switzerland coach Murat Yakin:

15:52 , Mike Jones

“We have fought very hard to make it here, and these are special games. Year in year out with the Switzerland national team there are some very interesting games.

“We’re very happy to play against Italy, and I think it will be a very open game. I don’t want to be drawn on who the favourite is.

“We know about their quality, their tactics and temperament, so it will certainly be special and we hope it can pan out the same way as our recent previous meetings.”

Switzerland starting XI

15:48 , Mike Jones

Switzerland XI: Sommer; Schar, Akanji, Rodriguez; Vargas, Freuler, Xhaka, Aebischer; Rieder, Embolo, Ndoye

Luciano Spalletti previews the match:

15:46 , Mike Jones

Italy’s head coach said: “We know we are up against very awkward customers in Switzerland. We have not managed to show all our potential so far, or maybe we only did so for a few moments.

“We deserved to qualify, even if we needed a last-gasp goal, but we need to take it up a step, especially in terms of personality.”

England fans to be served normal-strength beers during Euro 2024 last-16 match

15:40 , Mike Jones

England supporters will be served normal-strength beer during Sunday’s Euro 2024 last-16 match against Slovakia in Gelsenkirchen but will be unable to drink alcohol in the stands.

Fans were only able to purchase low-alcohol pints when Gareth Southgate’s side took on Serbia in their Group C opener at the Veltins-Arena in the German city on June 16.

Fan group the Free Lions Fan Embassy welcomed the eased restrictions, but is disappointed about some of the other measures set to be in place.

England fans to be served normal-strength beers during Euro 2024 last-16 match

Anthony Gordon vows to mark Euros goal with cycling celebration after bike crash

15:34 , Mike Jones

Anthony Gordon has promised to do a cycling celebration if he scores at Euro 2024 after the England forward was left covered in grazes following a bike accident.

The Newcastle winger came out to train on Thursday morning with cuts to his nose, chin, hands and knees and it later transpired he had crashed off an electric bike a day earlier.

Gordon admitted he had been trying to record a video message for his family when he hit the dirt and avoided what could have been a serious injury.

Anthony Gordon vows to mark Euros goal with cycling celebration after bike crash

Italy’s route to the final

15:29 , Mike Jones

Italy needed a dramatic 98th-minute equaliser against Croatia from Mattia Zaccagni to seal second place in Group B.

“We’re going step by step,” said forward Mateo Retegui afterward. “We’ll play against another strong team in Switzerland but we want to win and go forward.”

These two sides met in the group stage of Euro 2020, with Italy running out 3-0 winners in Rome. Switzerland are full of confidence though and could easily spring a surprise on the holders.

Switzerland’s route to the last-16

15:22 , Mike Jones

Switzerland comfortably progressed from Group A and remained unbeaten and even though they finished behind Germany thanks to a stoppage-time Niclas Fullkrug equaliser from the hosts in their final game.

Murat Yakin’s side certainly don’t appear overawed by any opponents they face and will have no fear against holders Italy in Berlin.

“The first step is done,” captain Granit Xhaka said. “We’re looking forward to the next round and our next opponents. I hope everyone has a little bit more respect for Switzerland now.”

Forget the group stage – Euro 2024 starts now

15:15 , Sonia Twigg

Given that over 70 per cent of the matches were used to eliminate just a third of the field, the modern group stage is almost less a final qualifying round than a warm-up. Except, this group stage has considerably conditioned how Euro 2024 now looks. It may also decide it.

If concentration of quality used to be the Euros’ best feature, there has never been so much quality concentrated on one side. It is arguably the most lopsided any international knockout stage has ever been, if also strikingly similar to last season’s Champions League. Germany, Spain, France and Portugal probably looked the best possible semi-final quartet after the second round of games, but only two can make it that far. They’re all on that side, which also features the story of the tournament in Georgia, a recent contender in Belgium, as well one of the highly capable mid-tier teams in Denmark. Slovenia, as we have seen, aren’t exactly easy to play.

There are some obvious consequences to this. Big teams are going to go out early. Those who make it through could be exhausted.

Forget the group stage – Euro 2024 starts now

Forget the group stage – Euro 2024 starts now

14:59 , Sonia Twigg

Pretty much every Euro 2024 contender is deeply flawed, explains Miguel Delaney, but a lopsided draw means anything can happen as the tournament now begins in earnest.

Spain are the only top side at Euro 2024 largely satisfied with how their group stage went, but everyone else would still nod along to manager Luis De La Fuente’s message. That is to basically forget everything that has happened so far.

It’s a feeling deepened by the first real break of the tournament, following an intense start. After some squads packed three matches into eight days, teams like Austria now wait a full week for their next fixture. Managers have been glad of that, to the point it almost represents a break in the tournament, too.

“It is a new competition starting for us,” French manager Didier Deschamps said. It might almost be called the real European Championships now, right down to how it features just 16 teams in the way it used to. “We’ll see the real potential of every team,” De La Fuente added.

14:43 , Sonia Twigg

Part of Spalletti’s task is to conjure goals from a relatively limited group. It offers parallels with the recent past. Since their triumph in Berlin at the 2006 World Cup, in the last major tournament on German soil, Italy have endured misadventures in World Cups and qualifying alike. But they have excelled in the last three European Championships, each time aided by the tactical acumen of a high-class manager. Roberto Mancini won Euro 2020, aided by a progressive 4-3-3 shape. Cesare Prandelli’s use of a diamond midfield helped them to the final of Euro 2012.

But a more pertinent precedent may be Euro 2016: Then, as now, Italy lacked the calibre of player to make them plausible winners. They nevertheless looked the best-coached team until exiting in a quarter-final penalty shootout defeat. The manager then, Antonio Conte, is now Spalletti’s latest successor at Napoli. For the latest Azzurri manager, the challenge is to produce a similar alchemy, to find a formula from another group without superstars.

Conte, too, is no stranger to outbursts, a manager to see enemies whether or not there are any. Spalletti can seem a stylistic opposite on the pitch: more of a purist, less of a pragmatist. But an aesthete has shown his combative side in a different arena. One of the more fascinating characters in a Euro 2024 dugout, Spalletti has shown his spiky side. Now to see if he can turn Italy into a winning side.

Luciano Spalletti: The Italy manager trying to win Euro 2024 one outburst at a time

14:18 , Sonia Twigg

There are reasons to explain that mixed start; in turn, that prompted some of the criticism of Spalletti. He admitted making a mistake by retaining the 11 starters who beat Albania against Spain; the stories about the changes he would then make against Croatia prompted some of the subsequent breakdown in relations with the media. Spalletti took offence at the suggestions his players talked him into his team selection, objecting to the use of the word “pact”.

A row can be revealing for other elements. If Spalletti is still searching for his finest team, that is understandable. He only took over last summer. He lost Sandro Tonali to a ban for gambling. Nicolo Fagioli has served his, but that rendered him ineligible for matches during the season. He lost defenders Francesco Acerbi and Giorgio Scalvini just before the tournament.

Spalletti has had to adapt and adjust. Riccardo Calafiori, who was uncapped at the start of the month, has emerged as one of the most impressive centre-backs of the group stage. But Giovanni Di Lorenzo, Spalletti’s captain at Napoli, was savaged by Nico Williams in the Spain game. Spalletti switched from a back four to 3-5-2, a formation he played at Empoli and which was the subject of his dissertation at the Italian coaching school at Coverciano.

It illustrated his versatility. He is associated with 4-6-0, with Francesco Totti a false nine for an inventive, attacking Roma side; at Napoli, he prospered with a 4-3-3. Yet Italy do not have forwards of the calibre of Osimhen and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia; the only man in Spalletti’s squad with a double-figure tally of international goals is midfielder Nicolo Barella. He seems unconvinced by Gianluca Scamacca. Winger Federico Chiesa is yet to recapture his Euro 2020 form. Spalletti argued he finished with six forwards against Croatia. Zaccagni, one of the less heralded, delivered.

Luciano Spalletti: The Italy manager trying to win Euro 2024 one outburst at a time

13:57 , Sonia Twigg

If emotions could run understandably high in the aftermath of a 98th-minute equaliser, Spalletti seems to be seeking to win Euro 2024 one outburst at time; waging war with the Italian press – “I am not envious of someone who writes a lovely flowing piece of prose,” he said at one stage in Leipzig – and creating a one-man siege mentality with the perception everyone wants him to fail. Suffice to say, it is not the approach Gareth Southgate or Roberto Martinez will take. Less the ambassador, more a wizened ball of fury, Spalletti collected a caution for his own celebrations of Mattia Zaccagni’s dramatic goal against Croatia.

It was a late reward for one of his earliest decisions. The Lazio winger was brought out of the international wilderness by Spalletti for his first game in charge. His goal against Croatia has set up a shootout against Switzerland for a quarter-final spot. When club football paused for the 2022 World Cup, Spalletti’s Napoli were arguably the best side in Europe. His Italy have not begun Euro 2024 in the same vein, but there is a path to assume that status.

Luciano Spalletti: The Italy manager trying to win Euro 2024 one outburst at a time

13:42 , Sonia Twigg

There was a point on Monday night, when Luciano Spalletti was mid-rant, when the thought occurred that the famously awkward Aurelio De Laurentiis might not have been the awkward one in their relationship. Or the most awkward one, anyway. The Napoli president has a reputation as such a difficult character that one club who admired Victor Osimhen could not bear the thought of negotiating with De Laurentiis, so did not pursue their interest in the striker. Meanwhile, Spalletti left Napoli in the glow of a Scudetto when his employer triggered an extension to his contract, rather than discussing an improved one.

It created a path that led to Leipzig, to Spalletti being available to take the Italy job when Roberto Mancini left to accept the Saudi millions. He marked qualification for the knockout phase of Euro 2024, his greatest achievement since securing Napoli’s first Serie A title in 33 years, by lashing out in a press conference. “There is venom coming from all sides, and I inject the venom inside me myself if it doesn’t,” he said at one stage. His venom was such that he then felt the need to call one of his interrogators to apologise. He did it at 2am.

Predicted line-ups

13:21 , Sonia Twigg

Switzerland XI: Sommer; Schar, Akanji, Rodriguez; Elvedi, Freuler, Xhaka, Aebischer; Rieder, Ndoye; Embolo.

Italy XI: Donnaruma; Di Lorenzo, Bastoni, Mancini, Dimarco; Barella, Jorginho, Frattesi; Chiesa, Retegui, Pellegrini.

Early team news

12:59 , Sonia Twigg

There are no known injury concerns for either side.

Wing-back Silvan Widmer is suspended, so any of Dan Ndoye, Fabian Rieder or Nico Elvedi could fill in. Breel Embolo started against Germany for the first time this tournament, so we could see him line up in attack.

Otherwise, expect to see a similar line-up to the one that started against Germany, with Ndoye, Xhaka and Aebischer all prominent.

Luciano Spalletti made several changes to his starting line-up against Croatia, but another poor performance from the Azzurri showed that none of them really worked.

Lorenzo Pellegrini was brought off at half-time in that match, so it remains to be seen whether he was injured.

Roberto Calafiori is booked, so Gianluca Mancini could come in at centre-back.

Mattia Zaccagni may have earned a starting place after his world class finish for the winner, while Mateo Retegui was enough of a nuisance to suggest he may start over Gianluca Scamacca.

Matteo Darmian put in an uninspired performance, so don’t be surprised to see Spalletti revert to four at the back once more, with Dimarco and Di Lorenzo as full-back.

Giacomo Raspadori was another whose performance never suggested he’d done enough for a starting berth, so expect to see Federico Chiesa return too.

How to watch Switzerland vs Italy on TV?

12:44 , Sonia Twigg

When is Switzerland v Italy?

The match will kick off at 5pm BST on Saturday 29 June at the Olympiastadion in Berlin.

What TV channel is it on?

The match will be shown on BBC One with coverage starting around 4.30pm. The match can also be streamed live online via iPlayer. You can find a full list of which channel is showing each match here.

If you’re travelling abroad and want to watch major sporting events, you might need a VPN to unblock your streaming app. Our VPN round-up is here to help and includes deals on VPNs in the market. Viewers using a VPN need to make sure that they comply with any local regulations where they are, and also with the terms of their service provider.

How to watch Switzerland vs Italy on TV?

12:23 , Sonia Twigg

Holders Italy will face Switzerland in the last 16 at Euro 2024 as they look to retain the trophy they won so dramatically at Wembley three years ago.

The Azzurri have had a mixed start to this year’s tournament, with an unconvincing win against Albania foillowed by a resounding loss against Spain and a lucky draw with Croatia that saw a 98th-minute leveller from Mattia Zaccagni take them through to the round of 16.

And Luciano Spalletti’s side will face a well-drilled Switzerland side with plenty of attacking ability in their last-16 tie in Berlin. Murat Yakin’s team, which boast talents including Manuel Akanji, Granit Xhaka and Breel Embolo, eased to a 3-1 win over Hungary before drawing with both Scotland and Germany to ensure they advanced in second in Group A.

And so the Olympiadstadion is set for a tie between two evenly matched sides with plenty of history between them – will the holders advance to the quarter-finals, or can the Swiss spring an upset in Berlin?

Switzerland vs Italy

10:49 , Sonia Twigg

Good afternoon and welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of the first Euro 2024 knockout match between Switzerland and Italy.

Italy scraped through to the knockout stages with a last-gasp equaliser against Croatia, while Switzerland are unbeaten in the tournament so far.

Stay tuned for all the latest build up, team news and coverage of the match in Berlin.