The knockout stages of Euro 2024 started with a bang as Switzerland stunned defending champions Italy with a 2-0 victory. Remo Freuler opened the scoring with a goal that came after a remarkable 31-pass sequence, showcasing Switzerland’s control and dominance in the match. The Swiss captain, Granit Xhaka, delivered an exceptional performance, completing an impressive 94 out of 98 passes, with a passing accuracy of 95.9%. It was a night to remember for Switzerland as they advanced to the quarterfinals for the second consecutive European Championships, a significant achievement considering they had never reached the quarterfinals before Euro 2020.
In contrast, Italy’s disappointing run in Euro 2024 continued as they conceded first in all four of their matches in the tournament. The defending champions were outplayed in every aspect of the game by Switzerland, making it the third straight time a defending champion has been eliminated in the Round of 16 at the European Championships. Italy’s defensive frailties were exposed once again, as they failed to keep a clean sheet and struggled to make an impact in the attacking third. The Italian side will have to reflect on their performance and make significant improvements moving forward.
On the other hand, host nation Germany redeemed themselves with a convincing 2-0 victory over Denmark to secure a spot in the quarterfinals. Kai Havertz converted a penalty, followed by a goal from Jamal Musiala, making him the tournament’s top scorer with three goals. Musiala’s feat of scoring three goals before turning 22 puts him in prestigious company alongside some legendary German players who achieved similar milestones in major tournaments. Germany’s entry into the quarterfinals marked the end of an eight-year drought, as they had failed to reach this stage since 2016. The German team will be looking to build on this success and make a strong push for the Euro 2024 title.
Veteran goalkeeper Manuel Neuer added to the historic night by making his 19th appearance at the European Championships, the most for any German player. This also marked his 38th appearance in major tournaments, tying the record with former teammate Bastian Schweinsteiger. Neuer’s presence and experience in goal provided a sense of stability and leadership for the German team, as they aim to navigate through the knockout stages and beyond. At 21 years and 124 days, Musiala’s record as the youngest German player to score a goal in the knockout stages of the European Championships further adds to the promising future of German football.
The knockout stages of Euro 2024 delivered unexpected results and memorable moments that captured the essence of football’s unpredictability. Switzerland’s impressive victory over Italy, Germany’s resurgence, and the individual milestones achieved by players like Musiala and Neuer showcased the drama and excitement that the European Championships are known for. As the tournament progresses, fans can expect more thrilling encounters and remarkable performances from the teams vying for glory on the grand stage of Euro 2024.
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