The knockout stages of Euro 2024 kicked off with a bang, as Italy suffered yet another defeat against Switzerland, while the hosts Germany secured a spot in the quarterfinals. Remo Freuler’s goal in the first half and Ruben Vargas’s stunning strike in the second saw Switzerland sail past the defending champions with a 2-0 victory. It was a result that was well-deserved, as the Swiss side outplayed Italy in every aspect of the game.
– Switzerland’s advancement to the quarterfinals marks the second consecutive time they have achieved this feat, a significant improvement considering they had never made it past this stage before Euro 2020.
– Italy’s elimination in the Round of 16 continues a trend of defending champions falling short in recent European Championships. Spain and Portugal suffered similar fates in 2016 and 2020, respectively.
– Italy’s habit of conceding first in their matches at Euro 2024 is concerning, as they have now done so in all four games. This extends to a total of 5 European Championship matches, including the final of Euro 2020.
– Remo Freuler’s goal for Switzerland came after an impressive 31-pass sequence, the longest build-up to a goal at the European Championship since 1980.
– Granit Xhaka led Switzerland by example with his passing accuracy, completing an outstanding 94 out of 98 passes (95.9%), with a remarkable 97.3% pass accuracy in the final third.
Meanwhile, in Dortmund, Germany overcame Denmark with a 2-0 victory to secure their place in the quarterfinals. Kai Havertz’s penalty and Jamal Musiala’s goal sealed the win for the hosts, marking Germany’s return to the quarterfinals after an eight-year absence from major tournaments.
– Jamal Musiala emerged as the top scorer of the tournament with three goals, becoming the fifth German player to achieve this feat before turning 22. He joins the likes of Muller, Beckenbauer, Conen, and Podolski in this exclusive group.
– Manuel Neuer extended his record as the German player with the most appearances at the European Championships, making his 19th appearance. Additionally, his 38th appearance at major tournaments puts him on par with Bastian Schweinsteiger.
– At just 21 years and 124 days old, Musiala becomes the second youngest player to score three or more goals at a European Championship, following in the footsteps of Wayne Rooney. He also holds the title of the youngest German player to score a goal in the knockout stages of the tournament.
As the knockout stages progress, the excitement and drama of Euro 2024 continue to captivate football fans around the world. With memorable performances, surprising upsets, and individual brilliance on display, the tournament promises to deliver more unforgettable moments as it reaches its climax. Stay tuned for more action-packed matches and thrilling encounters as the best teams in Europe battle it out for glory on the international stage.
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