As the Euro 2024 competition enters its knockout round, the action is sure to heat up. With 16 teams left, several exciting matches, such as the one between Italy and Switzerland, are about to take place. Finishing in second place in their respective Groups A and B allowed both teams to avoid facing top-tier competition. Their first round-of-16 match is this coming Saturday in Berlin, and they are already getting ready to face off.
Surprising late goals helped Switzerland and Italy advance to the next round. Switzerland came agonizingly close to topping their group; only to be thwarted by a 92nd-minute equalizer from Germany in their final group match. Italy, on the other hand, narrowly avoided a disastrous early exit thanks to Mattia Zaccagni’s last-minute strike against Croatia; ensuring they finished second rather than third.
Italy, with its rich European Championship pedigree, may seem the favorite on paper. Their performance in the group stage, nevertheless, was far from satisfactory. The reigning champions stumbled early, conceding the quickest goal in the Euro history against Albania and suffering a comprehensive defeat to Spain. Their only saving grace came from a last-gasp draw against Croatia, secured by Zaccagni’s heroics.
Switzerland’s journey, while not flawless, showcased more consistent performances. They had a disappointing draw with Scotland but rebounded with a solid display against Germany. This resilience will give them confidence heading into the knockout rounds.
Notably, Switzerland has become a regular fixture in the latter stages of major tournaments, having reached the knockout rounds in each of the last six international competitions since the 2014 World Cup. The only European nation with a longer streak is France, with seven consecutive knockouts.
Challenging matchup for both nations to open knockout stage
Despite their consistent appearances in knockout stages, the Red Crosses have struggled to advance further….
Source link : https://worldsoccertalk.com/uefa-euro/switzerland-blocks-german-tv-tower-to-stop-italy-euro/
Author : Martina Alcheva
Publish date : 2024-06-28 16:52:38
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