Afghanistan
Angola
Argentina
Asia (AFC)
Asian Games
Australia
Belgium-Netherlands
Brazil
Burkina Faso
Central American & Caribbean Games
Central American Games
Congo DR
Denmark
England
Europe (UEFA)
FYR Macedonia
Finland
Germany
Greece
International Tournaments
Italy
Mediterranean Games
Mexico
National
Nepal
North & Central America (Concacaf)
Palestine
Pan American Games
Panama
Russia
Scandinavia
Serbia And Montenegro
South American Games
Spain
Syria
USA
Venezuela
World (FIFA)
Yemen
Zimbabwe

Switzerland2 - 0Italy

sportsmole.co.uk, 29 June 2024, 18:49
Switzerland became the first side to book their spot in the quarter-finals of Euro 2024 courtesy of a 2-0 win over Italy in the last-16 stage of the competition on Saturday night.

Remo Freuler and Ruben Vargas scored the goals for Switzerland, and Italy were unable to find a response on a hugely disappointing night for the reigning European champions.

Here, Sports Mole takes a close look at how each player performed during the last-16 fixture.

Switzerland player ratings vs. Italy: Akanji puts in man-of-the-match performance

GOALKEEPER

Yann Sommer - 7/10

Did not have much to do in terms of saves, with Italy managing just one shot on target, but he was calm and composed, while his use of the ball was also hugely impressive.

DEFENCE

Fabian Schar - 8/10

One of Switzerland's best players on the evening. Almost scored a bizarre own goal in the second period, but even that would not have taken away from his excellent defensive performance.

Manuel Akanji - 9/10

Switzerland's man-of-the-match against the Italians. The Manchester City defender was rock solid in the middle of the back three, while he was also calm and composed in possession of the ball.

Ricardo Rodriguez - 8/10

Another who deserves huge respect for his performance on Saturday evening. Will not grab any headlines on Sunday morning, but he used his experience to make it difficult for Italy.

MIDFIELD

Michel Aebischer - 7/10

Full of running in the right-sided wing-back position and prevented Italy from gaining any sort of joy down that side. A true selfless performance from the 27-year-old.

Remo Freuler - 8/10

Made the breakthrough with a composed finish shortly before the interval, and he was excellent alongside Granit Xhaka in the middle of the Switzerland midfield.

Granit Xhaka - 8/10

Ran Akanji close in terms of the man-of-the-match award on Saturday night. The ex-Arsenal man is having an excellent tournament, and he contributed heavily to Switzerland's win against Italy.

Fabian Rieder - 7/10

Came close to scoring with a clever free kick in the first half and proved to be an energetic presence for Switzerland before being replaced in the 72nd minute of the contest.

ATTACK

Ruben Vargas - 8/10

Set up Freuler for the opening goal of the match before finding the back of the net with a brilliant strike early in the second period. One of Switzerland's best players against the Italians.

Breel Embolo - 7/10

Not a headline-grabbing performance from Embolo, but he occupied the Italian defence and showed some excellent hold-up play, especially in the opening 45 minutes of action.

Dan Ndoye - 7/10

Not difficult to see why he is interesting major clubs this summer, including Manchester United. A real threat during his 77 minutes on the field, with Italy struggling to deal with his power.

SUBSTITUTES

Leonidas Stergiou - 6/10

The inexperienced defender was trusted of the bench on Saturday, and he was able to pick up the pace of the match with ease to help Switzerland see out the result.

Steven Zuber - 6/10

No surprise that he settled into the contest due to his experience at international level, and like Stergiou, he played a role in Switzerland keeping out Italy in the latter stages.

Kwadwo Duah - 6/10

Proved to be the perfect impact substitute for Switzerland, as his pace and direct running caused a tired Italy defence real issues in the final stages of the fixture.

Vincent Sierro - 6/10

Was given the final 13 minutes as a replacement for the brilliant Ndoye, and like his fellow substitutes, he played a role in helping Switzerland see out the last-16 contest.

Renato Steffan- N/A

Was introduced in the second minute of added time at the end of the 90.

Italy player ratings vs. Switzerland: Scamacca struggles for the Blues

GOALKEEPER

Gianluigi Donnarumma - 7/10

Could do nothing with either of Switzerland's goals, and he made some smart saves during the contest. Donnarumma can be pleased with his overall level at the European Championship.

DEFENCE

Giovanni Di Lorenzo - 5/10

Found it incredibly difficult, especially in the first half, as Switzerland continued to enjoy space in the wide positions. Not a match that the defender will remember too fondly.

Gianluca Mancini - 6/10

Managed to hold firm under some pressure in the early stages, but he picked up a yellow card just before the hour and did not receive too much protection from those ahead of him.

Alessandro Bastoni - 6/10

Arguably Italy's best defensive performer, but it still only earns him a 6/10. Bastoni did manage to win some individual battles, but it was a difficult night against a Switzerland side full of movement.

Matteo Darmian - 6/10

Will not remember the match too fondly. Struggled against Switzerland's impressive forward players, and he was replaced in the second half, as Italy chased the match.

MIDFIELD

Bryan Cristante - 6/10

Was unable to make his mark in midfield for the Italians, with Switzerland dominating in that area. The midfielder was replaced in the 75th minute of the contest by Lorenzo Pellegrini.

Nicolo Fagioli - 5/10

Switzerland were dominant in the midfield on Saturday, and the game passed Fagioli by for long spells, with the 23-year-old eventually being replaced in the latter stages of the contest.

Nicolo Barella - 6/10

Easily Italy's most talented player, but the midfielder picked up an injury in the early stages of the contest and never appeared to recover. Was substituted in the 64th minute of the match.

ATTACK

Stephan El Shaarway - 6/10

Was replaced at the interval after struggling to make his mark in an opening 45 minutes where Italy were unable to cause Switzerland problems in the final third of the field.

Gianluca Scamacca - 4/10

Hit the post late on when he really should have scored, and it might have been a different outcome had the ball found the back of the net. Had a really difficult evening as Italy's centre-forward.

Federico Chiesa - 6/10

Proved to be a threat in the first period when Italy were able to isolate him with a Switzerland defender, but the Juventus attacker faded as the fixture developed.

SUBSTITUTES

Mattia Zaccagni - 6/10

Entered at the half-time break, with El Shaarawy removed, but the forward was unable to help change Italy's fortunes, with Switzerland's defence coming out on top.

Mateo Retegui- 6/10

Replaced Barella in the 64th minute of the contest, and he showed some nice touches, but he came into a struggling side and was unable to oversee a change.

Andrea Cambiaso - 6/10

Juventus defender replaced Darmian in the 74th minute of the contest, and he was able to help Italy tighten up in the final 15 minutes of the last-16 fixture.

Lorenzo Pellegrini - 6/10

Only given the final 15 minutes to make an impact, and it was a huge ask at that stage of proceedings. Like a number of his teammates, was unable to really make a telling contribution.

Davide Frattesi - 6/10

Was introduced in the 86th minute of the fixture, with Frattesti therefore hardly given the chance to help his side stage a late recovery against an impressive Switzerland outfit.

Top News

21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Benfica and Estrela Amadora return to action on Saturday when they go head to head at the Estadio da Luz in the fourth round of the Taca de Portugal. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Aiming to move back into the top six of the League One table, Huddersfield Town will welcome Charlton Athletic to the John Smith's Stadium on Saturday. 21 November 2024 talksport.com talkSPORT's Ally McCoist has opened up about living with Dupuytren's contracture, an incurable hereditary condition that affects the hands. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Luton Town will welcome Hull City to Kenilworth Road on Saturday for a crucial game at the bottom end of the Championship table. 21 November 2024 talksport.com Martin Odegaard is everything for Arsenal - he's at the heartbeat of everything positive they do. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Aiming to go top of the Championship table with a fifth straight victory, Sheffield United will travel to take on Coventry City on Saturday. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk RB Leipzig will aim to prevent the five-point gap to Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich from extending by claiming all three points at Hoffenheim's PreZero Arena on Saturday. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Champions League hopefuls Eintracht Frankfurt will hope to maintain their five-point advantage over Werder Bremen after hosting them on Saturday at Deutsche Bank Park in their 11th Bundesliga outing of the season. 21 November 2024 talksport.com Newcastle defender Lewis Hall says his lack of game time in the first-team left him 'in a dark place' last season. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Two teams who could really do with a victory kick off round 13 of the 2024-25 Eredivisie season as Go Ahead Eagles welcome Almere City to De Adelaarshorst on Saturday afternoon. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Promotion-chasing Barnsley are favourites heading into Saturday's gameweek 17 League One match at Oakwell. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Feyenoord and Heerenveen will both be looking to pick up where they left off right before the international break in Saturday's meeting at De Kuip in matchday 13 of the 2024-25 Eredivisie season. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City officially announce that manager Pep Guardiola has signed a two-year contract extension. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Girona will be bidding to make it three straight wins in La Liga for the first time this season when they welcome Espanyol to Estadi Montilivi on Saturday evening. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk An in-form Las Palmas will be aiming to make it five wins from their last six matches in all competitions when they continue their La Liga campaign at home to Mallorca on Saturday night. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Following four straight defeats leading into the international break, Aston Villa will return to action on Saturday, when Crystal Palace pay a visit to Villa Park. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea have reportedly set a £100m asking price for Enzo Fernandez amid interest from Real Madrid. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Saudi Pro League action will return to the Prince Mohamed bin Fahd Stadium this weekend when Al Khaleej play host to the defending champions Al-Hilal on Saturday evening. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Atletico Madrid will be aiming to make it five straight wins in all competitions when they continue their La Liga campaign against Alaves at Wanda Metropolitano on Saturday afternoon. 21 November 2024 talksport.com Robert Lewandowski is a mesmerising goal scorer, but it turns out that's not his only talent. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Crystal Palace may be without two of their key creators when they kick off on Saturday afternoon, as an ailing Premier League campaign resumes away to Aston Villa. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea defender Ben Chilwell has reportedly caught the eye of Serie A clubs Juventus and Napoli. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Real Madrid are reportedly interested in Manchester United midfielder Casemiro, with Los Blancos considering making an attempt to bring the Brazilian back to Bernabeu in January. 21 November 2024 talksport.com Pep Guardiola deciding to extend his stay at Manchester City could be good news for them in more than one sense. 21 November 2024 talksport.com Cristiano Ronaldo admitted there will be one key challenge to his son, Cristiano Ronaldo Jr, becoming a professional footballer. 21 November 2024 talksport.com Caoimhin Kelleher has the opportunity to become Chelsea's starting goalkeeper - he's too good to be Liverpool's back-up. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Wolverhampton Wanderers could be without up to seven players for Saturday's Premier League clash with Fulham at Craven Cottage. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Marco Silva will be working with almost a fully-fit squad when his Fulham side play host to Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League on Saturday. 21 November 2024 talksport.com Al Ettifaq chiefs admitted they were left in shock when Jordan Henderson told them he wanted to leave just months into joining the Saudi Pro League club. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Wolverhampton Wanderers will be looking to climb out of the Premier League relegation zone when they travel to Craven Cottage to face Fulham on Saturday afternoon.
Sat 23 Nov, 14:00
A
Verona Verona
-
sch
Inter Inter
Sat 23 Nov, 20:00
L1
Reims Reims
-
sch
Lyon Lyon