Switzerland vs Italy LIVE RESULT: Swiss into last 8 with brilliant win as defending champs are DUMPED OUT
RUBEN VARGAS and Remo Freuler struck to dump defending champions Italy OUT of Euro 2024 - and set up a potential quarter-final clash against England.
Switzerland had an impressive group stage campaign and were excellent against the Azzurri - who were woeful.
The two well-worked goals mean the Swiss reach the last eight foe the second consecutive tournament.
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That's all from Berlin
Where Switzerland have become the first nation to book their place in the Euro 2024 quarter-finals.
The Rossocrociati made short work of holders Italy, who head home with their tails between their legs after a lacklustre defence.
The Swiss - so often dismissed and dull - have brought a new electric excitement to these finals, and will be more than a match for whoever await them in the last eight, be it Slovakia or England.
It's now the turn of the hosts to take centre stage with an eagerly-awaited Round of 16 clash in Dortmund, and you can follow Germany against Denmark with our live coverage.
Auf Wiedersehn.
Rieder hails 'incredible spirit'
Switzerland midfielder Fabian Rieder believes Switzerland produced a performance of the upmost quality to match the team spirit surging through the squad.
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.
Fabian Rieder
Not-so-sweet 16 for champs
Italy’s defeat this evening means that they are the third consecutive reigning champions to have been eliminated in the Last 16 at the Euros.
The Azzurri follow Portugal, who lost to Belgium at this stage of Euro 2020, and Spain, beaten by the Azzurri themselves at Euro 2016.
Ruben rises to the challenge
Ruben Vargas was given the nod to replace the suspended Silvan Widmer by Murat Yakin, and he didn't let his head coach down.
The forward became the first Swiss player to score and assist in a knockout match at a major tournament since records began in 1966 - while he’s the second to do so for Switzerland at these finals after Michel Aebischer against Hungary on matchday one.
The Augsburg forward's strike after 27 seconds of the second half is the second fastest second half goal scored at a Euros after Marcel Coras for Romania against Germany at Euro 1984 (45:21).
Match stats from Olympiastadion Berlin
Switzerland have now made it through to the quarter finals for a second consecutive European Championship - and this after failing to make it out of their group in three of their previous four participations in the competition.
The Azzurri slink out having had just one shot on target.
Full time - Switzerland 2-0 Italy
It's all over! Not just this match in Berlin, but Italy's reign as European champions.
Switzerland hadn't beaten the Italians since 1993, but they eased their way to victory early on in the German capital with a performance of precision and pressure.
Goals from Remo Freuler in the first half and Ruben Vargas - seconds into the second - did the job for Murat Yakin's team, who will now face either England or Slovakia in the quarter-finals.
Switzerland 2-0 Italy
90. The fourth official's board goes up to indicate two minutes of stoppage time.
And if you think Italy are throwing everything at Switzerland in an attempt to rescue something spectacular, then you haven't been paying attention.
Switzerland 2-0 Italy
88. It's the Switzerland fans making all the noise inside the Olympiastadion.
Only a penalty shoot-out defeat denied them a semi-final spot at Euro 2020. Who would bet against them making it as far this time around?
Switzerland 2-0 Italy - Italy substitution
86. Nicolo Fagioli, whose error led to Switzerland's second, is withdrawn.
Davide Frattesi is the latest Italian sent on to the pitch without any rhyme or reason.
Switzerland 2-0 Italy
84. Pellegrini whips a hopeless effort high and wide from the edge of the box.
"He's better than that," notes Danny Murphy.
He may well be, but on this showing, Italy are not.
Switzerland 2-0 Italy
82. Swiss substitute Zuber goes close to adding some gloss.
A quick one-two on the left releases the midfielder, who powers a cross-shot beyond Donnarumma - but also away from any supporting teammate.
Switzerland 2-0 Italy
80. Ten minutes remain in Berlin, and the European Championship holders are heading home with a whimper.
And a reminder: the winner of this tie will face either England or Slovakia in the quarter-finals.
Switzerland 2-0 Italy - Switzerland double substitution
78. The Switzerland forward pairing of Dan Ndoye and Breel Embolo have done their job, and take a deserved rest.
Kwadwo Duah and Vincent Sierro get their opportunity to enjoy the procession.
Switzerland 2-0 Italy - Italy double substitution
76. Two more changes for the Azzurri.
Lorenzo Pellegrini and Andrea Cambiaso are thrown into the mix with Bryan Cristante and Matteo Darmian forced to watch the finale of this one from the sidelines.
Switzerland 2-0 Italy
75. Scamacca clatters against the post from ten yards out!
I'd talk you through the opportunity, but I'm pretty sure the striker was offside not once, but twice during the build-up.
Switzerland 2-0 Italy
73. Mateo Retegui turns on the edge of the area and shoots tamely at Sommer.
It's the kind of shot you might see from a six-year-old mascot in the warm-up before a Premier League game.
Anyway, it's Italy's first shot on target today.
Switzerland 2-0 Italy - Switzerland double substitution
72. Murat Yakin makes a couple of changes of his own, and you suspect these are being down with the thought of resting players.
He introduces Steven Zuber and Leonidas Stergiou for goalscorer Ruben Vargas and Fabian Rieder.
Switzerland 2-0 Italy
70. Xhaka continues to zip about all over the pitch, closing down space and winning back possession.
The midfielder should be in Ballon D’or contention for the year he's had.
Switzerland 2-0 Italy
68. Federico Chiesa's corner has just summed up Italy's performance.
Confronted with a packed penalty area when his team needed a good delivery most, the Juve forward swung it so far out that it curled far beyond the player backing up on the edge of the area and went for a throw.
Switzerland 2-0 Italy
66. Ndoye tries - and fails to connect with - an outrageous overhead kick.
"I felt a muscle go just watching that," winces Steve Bower.
Switzerland 2-0 Italy - Italy substitution
64. Now Luciana Spalletti throws on another forward in Mateo Retegui; perhaps he can help Italy record a shot on target.
Nicolo Barella, who picked up a knock in the first half, heads off and - barring something incredible - that will be the end of his tournament.
Switzerland 2-0 Italy
62. The Switzerland players are too strong for this Italian team. They're too good for them.
"It's like watching a Premier League team play a Championship team," repeats Danny Murphy to really hammer the point home.
Switzerland 2-0 Italy
60. Ndoye has another crack for the Swiss, but there's nothing doing with it.
There are a lot of glum faces among the Italian support - and even more angry hand gestures.
Switzerland 2-0 Italy
58. A few of the Italian substitutes are warming up, but nothing to energetic that indicates movement.
So just like those in blue on the pitch then.
Switzerland 2-0 Italy - Mancini yellow card
55. Gianluca Mancini becomes the third Italian to enter the book today, and it's certainly the harshest of the lot.
In fact, the defender is caught himself on the instep by Rieder, but somehow the free-kick goes the otherway.