In a shocking turn of events, reigning champions Italy suffered an unexpected early exit from Euro 2024 after Switzerland delivered a remarkable upset with a 2-0 victory in the last 16 clash. The game took place at Berlin's Olympiastadion on Saturday.

From the very beginning, Switzerland displayed dominance on the field, preventing Italy from gaining possession with their effective press. However, despite their early control, the Swiss side struggled to create clear-cut chances in the opening 20 minutes, thanks to the compact Italian defense.

Switzerland finally found a breakthrough in the 37th minute when Remo Freuler received a pass from Ruben Vargas inside the penalty area and managed to find the back of the net, despite his shot being slightly deflected. Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma was unable to keep it out, giving the Swiss a well-deserved lead.

The second half started in disastrous fashion for Italy, as they carelessly gave away possession from their own kickoff. In just 27 seconds, Switzerland seized the opportunity and extended their lead. Ruben Vargas curled a sensational shot from the edge of the box into the top right corner, leaving the Italians reeling.

Italy struggled to find their rhythm throughout the game, and their defense of the title ended abruptly in the tournament's first knockout stage. Remarkably, this marks the third consecutive Euro where the reigning champion has been eliminated in the round of 16.

Switzerland, on the other hand, celebrated their impressive victory and booked their place in the quarterfinals. They now await the winner of Sunday's match between England and Slovakia to determine their next opponent.

Italy's absence of defender Riccardo Calafiori, suspended for this match, was sorely felt as Gianluca Mancini stepped in to fill the void. The lack of cohesion was evident in Italy's struggles to play out from the back and withstand Switzerland's relentless pressure.

Despite Italy's attempts to mount a comeback, their attacking intent was met with a well-organized Swiss defense that proved difficult to break down. Italy's best chance came in the 73rd minute when Gianluca Scamacca's shot struck the woodwork, followed by a wayward effort from Nicolò Fagioli.

In summary, Switzerland's stunning upset victory over Italy has sent shockwaves through Euro 2024. With their impressive performance, the Swiss team has proved their prowess and will now set their sights on the quarterfinals. Meanwhile, Italy is left to reflect on a disappointing campaign as they bid farewell to their title defense.