Switzerland fully deserved to get through to the quarter-finals, where they could potentially play a match against England.
In Berlin in 2006, Italy won the World Cup, but it didn’t look like they would ever repeat that feat. They were second in all areas.
Murat Yakin’s team were threatening from the start, but in the 37th minute they deservedly broke through thanks to a controlled – and beautifully placed – shot from Remo Freuler.
Increasing the intensity after the break, Ruben Vargas needed just 26 seconds to double the team’s lead in a blistering performance that left Gianluigi Donnarumma and his team-mates open-mouthed.
Here, Joe Bernstein decides who impressed – and which players should do better – in the first of the last 16 games.
Switzerland became the first team to qualify for the quarter-finals with their performance against Italy
The reigning champions were impressed by the Swiss attack on Saturday
Remo Freuler opened the scoring for Switzerland on a charming afternoon at the Olympiastadion
Switzerland (3-4-2-1)
Yann Sommer – 6
Impossible to judge the Inter Milan goalkeeper, who had virtually nothing to do. He has just won the Serie A title with a number of Italian players, but he could not have expected such a quiet evening, with only a shot on target to save.
Fabian Schaar – 6.5
With Switzerland in comfortable possession for large parts, Newcastle’s centre-back was allowed to venture forward. He was lucky at 2-0 when he made a header against his own post.
Manuel Akanji-8
The £15m paid by Manchester City is one of the great bargains. He has been given even more responsibility for his national team and showed real composure in clearing the ball out of the box. Always in the right place to avert danger when heading or blocking
Experienced goalkeeper Yann Sommer was rarely tested by a more muted Italian side
Ricardo Rodríguez – 7
Like his ‘keeper, his club football is in Italy with Torino. Excelled on the left side of a back three and his interception to stop Bryan Cristante’s cross set the tone for Switzerland’s defensive
Then Ndoye-8
Pushed high at right-back, showing pace and positivity throughout. Gave Darmian a difficult time and with more composure he could have scored more goals
Remo Freuler – 7.5
Scored the vital opening goal with a superb touch with his right foot before firing home with his left. It was the midfielder’s 10th international goal and Nottingham Forest fans would love to see him back at the City Ground after a loan spell to help Bologna qualify for the Champions League.
Freuler’s position in front of the target allowed him to unleash a rocket from close range. Goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma was powerless to stop
Granite Xhaka-8
The recently crowned Bundesliga champion was extremely influential in midfield and wore the captain’s armband. Dictated the play in the middle of the park and ensured Switzerland kept their composure despite having to wait 37 minutes to break the deadlock.
Michel Aebischer – 7
Was the creative link between defence and attack and played the final pass for Vargas to hit Switzerland’s second
Fabian Rieder-7
Provided balance to the team by playing on the right, but also came in when needed. Unlucky not to score himself when a clever free kick was tipped onto the post by Donnarumma just before half-time.
Ruben Vargas (right) needed just 26 seconds in the second half to double his team’s lead
Breel Embolo (foreground) put Italy in trouble but lacked the sharpness of previous performances
Ruben Vargas – 8.5
The only Swiss change from their creditable draw against Germany and he certainly made an impact for the suspended Silvan Widmer. He had the punishment of Di Lorezno down the left and had a hand in both goals, passing to Freuler to break the deadlock and then scoring the second 27 seconds after the restart with a curling shot into the top corner from just inside the area.
Breel Embolo – 6
His move put Italy in trouble but missed out on a lead. A clever run to beat the offside trap put him one-on-one with Donnarumma but he couldn’t finish the job and fired a fine shot past the keeper.
SUBSTITUTES
Steven Zuber (for Vargas 71) – 6
Leonidas Stergiou (for Rieder 71) – 6
Vincent Sierro (for Ndoye 77)
Kwadwo Duah (for Embolo 77)
MANAGER: Murat Yakin-8
No superstars in his team, but a well-oiled machine led by captain Xhaka
Murat Yakin’s team executed their game plan ruthlessly in the German capital on Saturday
Luciano Spalletti could not help his team defend their title, three years after the victory in London
Italy (4-3-3)
Gianluigi Donnarumma – 7.5
Saved best form for his country and was the only Italian who did not deserve to be on the losing side. Safe with handling and good saves from Embolo and Rieder, the latter on the post
Giovanni di Lorenzo-5
Couldn’t handle Vargas, who ran past him at will. At the other end, he mistimed his run and was caught offside, disrupting a smart free-kick routine
Gianluca Mancini-6
Had a big job replacing the suspended Riccardo Calafiore. Manly effort and an Embolo shot blocked. Wasn’t great and got a yellow card, but certainly not the worst Italian defender
Alessandro Bastoni (left) and Giovanni di Lorenzo (right) struggled with the absence of the suspended Riccardo Calafiore
Alessandro Bastoni – 5
Looked lost without his regular partner Calafiore. Couldn’t keep the ball and was dragged out of position for the first Swiss goal, giving Freuler time and space to shoot.
Matteo Darmian – 5.5
Former Manchester United defender found it difficult to contain Ndoye in particular. He never hid, but was rightly pulled back by Spalletti with 15 minutes to go.
Nicolo Barella-5.5
Italy’s talisman went down with his hamstring early in the match and struggled to make an impact until he was replaced midway through the second half. Until then he had been unusually careless in possession and was cautioned for chasing Xhaka and committing a foul after initially losing the ball.
Niccolo Fagioli (right) was at fault for Switzerland by scoring the second goal, putting power beyond his side’s reach
Federico Chiesa (left) was one of Italy’s strongest players, but he had to make do with scraps
Niccolo Fagioli-5
Everything Spalletti had told his players at half-time had been nullified by giving the ball away at kick-off for the second period – and 27 seconds later Switzerland had gone the other way and scored their second. Summary of Fagioli’s game.
Bryan Cristante – 5.5
The game passed him by, as did many of the Azzurri. It is unable to make any kind of impact because Italy is failing to find any coherence
Federico Chiesa-6
Seemed like the most offensive threat, but got frustrated with eating leftovers. He switched from right to left and started a dribble that was eventually smothered by an Akanji block
Gianluca Scamacca-5
It is now one goal in 20 games for Italy. Lack of mobility made it difficult for the Italian midfield to find him against an experienced Swiss defence. Had one chance in the second half and hit the post from four yards – and even that could have been ruled out for offside.
Stephan El Shaarawy – 5.5
His first international start since November lasted just 45 minutes before being replaced by Zaccagni. Spalletti could have beaten anyone given Italy’s dreadful first half, but El Shaarawy could not complain. Isolated on the wings, his frustration was revealed when he chased back at a foul on Schar and was booked.
Gianluca Scamacca (centre) now has just one goal in his 20 caps for Italy
Stephan El Shaarawy was subbed off at half-time – but he could have been one of many substitutes after poor start
REPLACEMENTS
Mattia Zaccagni (for El Shaarawy 45) – 5
Mateo Retegui (for Barella 64) – 5.5
Andrea Cambiasso (for Darmian 75) 5.5
Lorenzo Pellegrini (for Cristante 75) 5
Davide Frattesi (for Fagioli 86)
MANAGER: Luciano Spalletti – 6
Played poorly due to injuries and suspensions, but did not show the tactical skills he was known for at Napoli.
REFEREE: Szymon Marciniak (Poland) 6