Italy exits Euro 2024 after going down to Switzerland, as the pundits sink the boot into the defending champions, while host Germany progresses to the quarterfinals by beating Denmark.
Here are the five quick hits from the latest action at Euro 2024.
1. Italy slammed after loss to Swiss
Italy’s tournament defence at Euro 2024 is over following a 2-0 loss to Switzerland in the last 16 at Berlin’s Olympiastadion.
The Italians bowed out before the quarterfinal stage of the European Championship for the first time in 20 years.
Not surprisingly, it didn’t take long for critics to apply the blowtorch to Italy.
England great Gary Lineker, speaking on BBC One, refused to hold back with a scathing assessment of Italy’s display against the Swiss.
“I don’t think I’ve witnessed, in my lifetime, a worse Italian team than this,” Lineker said.
Another former England captain, Alan Shearer, was just as appalled at Italy’s decline since it won the tournament in 2021.
“From three years ago to this, it’s incredible,” Shearer said on BBC One.
“I was really shocked at how bad Italy were. They offered nothing in any position, Switzerland toyed with them.
“They dominated that game and didn’t give Italy a chance. Up top they were so weak, they offered nothing in front of goal.
“There was no threat. They were so poor, particularly in forward positions.”
2. Italy manager takes responsibility
Manager Luciano Spalletti has already put his hand up to take the blame for the defeat.
He made six changes to his starting line-up against the Swiss, but instead of instilling energy and creativity into the team, they looked disjointed and without invention, and barely managed a shot on goal.
“I have the responsibility,” Spalletti told a post-match media conference.
“We failed because of my team selection, it is never down to the players.”
But Spalletti added he did not have enough time to get to know the team better.
He claimed the other managers had 30 or even more matches with their teams before the tournament started, but he “only had 10”.
3. Rare air for Switzerland
The result against Italy was only Switzerland’s ninth win over the two-time Euro champions in 62 attempts.
It was also Switzerland’s first against Italy since 1993, with a pair of superb strikes from Remo Freuler and Ruben Vargas clinching the result.
Understandably, Swiss manager Murat Yakin said he wanted to enjoy his team’s victory before turning his mind to the quarterfinal against England or Slovakia.
“We won an important game, and that’s what’s crucial,” Yakin told reporters.
“As for what happens tomorrow, what comes after that, we’ll prepare well again for our next opponent.”
4. Germany conquers Denmark … and the weather
It wasn’t just Denmark the Germans needed to contain in their 2-0 triumph, with the last-16 match in Dortmund temporarily suspended because of bad weather.
Thunder and lightning raged overhead in the first half and hail stones began falling on the pitch, before referee Michael Oliver took the players off with just over 30 minutes having been played and the score 0-0.
The match was suspended for 20 minutes but after play resumed, Kai Havertz and Jamal Musiala’s scored second-half goals to send Germany through to the quarterfinals where it will play Spain or Georgia.
“I think we had a super game and hope that the fans in Dortmund enjoyed it,” Germany defender Nico Schlotterbeck said.
“I’m very happy for the team, it’s reward for the hard work. The break for the rain, we handled well.
“We played with euphoria and with pleasure and now we go to Stuttgart.”
It was Germany’s first knockout victory at a major tournament in eight years.
5. Denmark bemoans VAR decisions
Denmark manager Kasper Hjulmand was no fan of the VAR (video assistant referee) in the loss to Germany, claiming a tight offside decision and a handball contributed to the result.
The Danes had the ball in the net first but Joachim Andersen’s effort was ruled offside when the passer Thomas Delaney was found to have been centimetres offside.
Not long after, Anderson gave away a penalty after a VAR check — with the use of the snickometer — found he had handled the ball.
“The result was decided by two VAR decisions. I have the photo here — it was 1 centimetre,” Hjulmand said, holding up his smart phone with a picture of the VAR decision.
“It doesn’t make sense. This is not how we are supposed to be using VAR — it’s 1 centimetre — and after a few minutes there was a penalty.
“I’m so tired of the ridiculous handball rules.”
Surprisingly, Hjulmand said he was still in favour of using the VAR.
“I’ve always liked VAR. I think that technology can do something good for the sport,” he said.
“I also think it should be quicker. There has to be a way to improve it. I think that generally VAR is a good idea, but sometimes I can doubt it.”
Next matches (all AEST time):
- England vs Slovakia — 2am Monday
- Spain vs Gerogia — 5am Monday
Wires/ABC
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