Football

Spain concluded their triumphant 2023 campaign with a thrilling 3-2 victory over Switzerland in a Nations League dead rubber on Monday. Despite already securing top spot in Group A4, the reigning European champions displayed their resilience and determination in Tenerife.Coach Luis de la Fuente fielded an entirely new starting lineup, giving Athletic Bilbao's Aitor Paredes his international debut. Yeremi Pino, a Canary Islander, broke the deadlock in the 32nd minute, capitalizing on Pedri's saved penalty.Switzerland equalized through Joel Monteiro, but Bryan Gil quickly restored Spain's lead. Andi Zeqiri leveled the score once more from the spot, but Bryan Zaragoza emerged as the hero in the dying minutes. The Bayern Munich winger earned and converted a penalty, securing a hard-fought victory for Spain.Zaragoza's late heroics capped off a remarkable year for Spain, who won the Euro 2024 title and finished the Nations League group stage unbeaten. The match also marked a special occasion for the Canary Islands, as it was the first Spain match on the island in 28 years.

Switzerland's Yann Sommer Retires from International Football After Illustrious CareerSwitzerland's veteran goalkeeper Yann Sommer has bid farewell to international football, bringing an end to a remarkable 12-year career with the national team. The 35-year-old shot-stopper, who currently plies his trade for Inter Milan, made 94 appearances for his country, leaving an indelible mark on Swiss football history.Sommer's international debut came in 2012, and he quickly established himself as the undisputed number one goalkeeper, taking over the mantle from Diego Benaglio. His exceptional performances between the posts played a pivotal role in Switzerland's success on the international stage.The highlight of Sommer's career came at Euro 2020, where he made a heroic penalty save against France's Kylian Mbappé in the last 16. This crucial stop propelled Switzerland into their first major quarter-final since 1954. Sommer's heroics continued throughout the tournament, as he helped his team reach the last eight.Sommer's consistency and reliability were instrumental in Switzerland's impressive run at the last six major tournaments, where they consistently reached the knockout stages. His leadership and experience were invaluable to the team, and he was widely regarded as one of the best goalkeepers in Europe.In a statement released by the Swiss Football Association, Sommer expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to represent his country: "My time with the national team has meant a lot to me. I look back with pride on the many unforgettable moments, the exciting matches, the victories celebrated together, and the challenges we have overcome together."Sommer's retirement marks the end of an era for Swiss football. His exceptional talent, dedication, and unwavering commitment have left a lasting legacy on the national team. He will be remembered as one of the greatest goalkeepers in Swiss history, and his contributions will continue to inspire future generations of players.

England's resilience and character shone through as they overcame Switzerland in a thrilling penalty shootout to reach the semi-finals of the European Championship. After a 1-1 draw in regulation and extra time, Jordan Pickford saved Manuel Akanji's penalty, while England converted all five of their attempts to secure a 5-3 victory.Under coach Gareth Southgate, England have now won more knockout games in eight years than they had in over 50 years before. Breel Embolo's 75th-minute goal put England on the brink of elimination, but Bukayo Saka's stunning long-range strike in the 80th minute leveled the scores.In the penalty shootout, Cole Palmer, Jude Bellingham, Saka, Ivan Toney, and Trent Alexander-Arnold all scored for England, while Fabian Schar, Xherdan Shaqiri, and Zeki Amdouni converted for Switzerland. Saka, who had missed a penalty in the final of Euro 2020, redeemed himself with a decisive spot-kick.Switzerland, known for their tendency to exit tournaments in the group stage, had been impressive in Germany, keeping a clean sheet against defending champions Italy in the last round. However, England's back three and strong defensive performance kept the Swiss at bay for much of the match.Despite the absence of suspended Marc Guehi, Ezri Konsa impressed at left center-back, while Phil Foden played through the middle and Bellingham provided a strong presence on the left. Saka was a constant threat on the right, but Switzerland's pace and physicality kept England from creating clear-cut chances.In the second half, Switzerland began to assert themselves, with Xhaka moving up the pitch and finding Embolo with a raking ball. Embolo's goal in the 75th minute gave Switzerland the lead, but Saka's equalizer five minutes later kept England in the game.Extra time saw both teams create chances, but neither could find a winning goal. In the penalty shootout, Pickford's save on Akanji's penalty proved decisive, and England's perfect conversion rate sealed their victory.

England and Switzerland will clash in a highly anticipated quarter-final match of Euro 2024 at the Merkur Spiel-Arena in Dusseldorf on Saturday, July 6 (IST).Despite reaching the quarter-finals for the fourth consecutive major tournament under manager Gareth Southgate, England have struggled to live up to expectations as one of the favorites for the competition. Their performances have been underwhelming, leaving fans and pundits alike questioning their ability to challenge for the title.On the other hand, Switzerland have impressed in the tournament so far. They stunned holders Italy 2-0 in the previous round and held Germany to a 1-1 draw in the group stages. Their disciplined defense and clinical attacking play have made them a formidable opponent for any team.The match promises to be a close and exciting affair. England will be desperate to prove their worth and silence their critics, while Switzerland will be looking to continue their impressive run and reach the semi-finals for the first time in their history.

England's Euro 2024 hopes hang in the balance as they prepare to face Switzerland in the quarter-finals. Despite boasting a star-studded squad, England's performances have been underwhelming, prompting criticism from fans and pundits alike.Former England striker Michael Owen has been particularly vocal in his assessment of the team's style of play. "If England continue to play this way, we can't win it," Owen said. "Switzerland will probably beat us, let alone any of the bigger teams."England's cautious approach has been a major concern. Despite having attacking talents like Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham, and Phil Foden, the team has struggled to create clear-cut chances. In their group stage matches, England managed just two goals, and they were fortunate to escape with a win against Slovakia in the Round of 16 thanks to Bellingham's stunning bicycle kick.Gareth Southgate's record against top-ranked opposition has also been poor. In 24 games against teams in FIFA's Top 10, England have won only four times. This has led to questions about Southgate's tactical acumen and his ability to get the best out of his players.However, Owen believes that England can still turn things around. "The good thing is that England can get better, their performances can get better," he said. "We were fortunate to be on the really nice side of the draw."If England can overcome Switzerland, they will face either the Netherlands or Turkey in the semi-finals. With Spain, Germany, Portugal, and France on the other side of the draw, many believe that England have a favorable path to the final.But Owen warns that England must improve their performances if they want to lift the trophy. "All we can do is hope that the manager changes one or two things," he said. "We certainly need a change in performance if we are to win the tournament."

Switzerland's impressive performance at Euro 2024 has sent shockwaves through the tournament, proving that they are a force to be reckoned with. Despite never reaching the semi-finals of a major international competition, the Swiss have shown that they can compete with the elite teams.Under the guidance of Murat Yakin, Switzerland ruthlessly eliminated defending champions Italy and came within seconds of defeating hosts Germany to top Group A. Their success is not attributed to individual stars but rather to a cohesive team unit that plays as a collective.Granit Xhaka and Manuel Akanji may be the most recognizable names in the Swiss squad, but it is the trio of Dan Ndoye, Michel Aebischer, and Remo Freuler who have been instrumental in their progress. The Bologna teammates have contributed goals and assists in three of Switzerland's four matches, showcasing their attacking prowess.Kwadwo Duah, the first English-born player to score at this year's Euros, provides additional depth to the Swiss attack. However, he is likely to start on the bench behind Monaco forward Breel Embolo.England defender John Stones acknowledged Switzerland's impressive performances, recognizing their talented players and the challenge they pose. If Switzerland can overcome England, they will face either the Netherlands or Turkey in the semi-finals.Yakin expressed his pride in his team's achievements, emphasizing that they have earned their place among the tournament's elite. He believes that Switzerland is on the right track and has the potential to continue their historic run.

Italy's Euro 2024 campaign ended in a humiliating fashion as they were eliminated in the last 16 by Switzerland. The four-time world champions and reigning European champions were outplayed by the Swiss in Berlin, losing 1-0.The defeat was the latest in a series of disappointing results for Italy, who have now failed to qualify for the last two World Cups. It also raised questions about the future of manager Luciano Spalletti, who has been in charge for less than a year.Italy were second best for much of the match against Switzerland. They were pinned back in their own half for long periods and struggled to create any clear-cut chances.Ruben Vargas scored the only goal of the game just seconds after half-time. The Swiss forward took advantage of some poor defending from Italy to fire home from close range.Italy never really recovered from that setback. They continued to struggle to create chances and were unable to find a way back into the game.The defeat was a major disappointment for Italy, who had been hoping to defend their European title. It also raised concerns about the team's future.Spalletti has come under fire for his team's poor performances. He has been accused of being too negative and of not getting the best out of his players.The Italian media are already calling for Spalletti to be sacked. It remains to be seen whether he will be given the chance to turn things around.

Switzerland and Italy Clash in Euro 2024 Round of 16The highly anticipated Euro 2024 knockout stage kicks off with a thrilling encounter between Switzerland and Italy in the Round of 16. Both teams finished second in their respective groups, setting the stage for a captivating battle.Switzerland, despite finishing behind hosts Germany in Group A, displayed impressive form throughout the group stage. They came agonizingly close to defeating Germany in their final group game, showcasing their resilience and determination.Defending champions Italy, on the other hand, have had a more challenging journey to the knockout stage. After a disappointing loss to Spain, they managed to secure a last-minute equalizer against Croatia to qualify for the Round of 16.The winner of this match will face either England or Slovakia in the quarter-finals, adding to the stakes of this crucial encounter.Match Details:* Date: Saturday, June 29 (IST)* Venue: Olympiastadion, Berlin* Time: 9:30 PM IST* TV Channels: Sony Sports Network* Live Streaming: SonyLiv app and websiteKey Players to Watch:* Switzerland: Granit Xhaka, Xherdan Shaqiri, Breel Embolo* Italy: Leonardo Bonucci, Giorgio Chiellini, Federico ChiesaAnalysis:Switzerland will be looking to build on their strong group stage performance and upset the defending champions. Their midfield, led by Xhaka and Shaqiri, will be crucial in controlling the tempo of the game.Italy, despite their recent struggles, possess a wealth of experience and quality. Their defense, anchored by Bonucci and Chiellini, will be tested by the attacking prowess of Switzerland.The match promises to be a close and entertaining affair, with both teams desperate to advance to the quarter-finals.

Defending champion Italy will face Switzerland in the quarterfinals of the European Championship on June 29, aiming to continue its dominance over its opponent. Switzerland has not defeated Italy in 31 years and has only eight wins from their previous 61 meetings. However, the Swiss are unbeaten this year, with their only loss in 2023 coming in the last game of qualifying.Italy has fond memories of playing at Berlin's Olympiastadion, having won the 2006 World Cup final there and the 1936 Olympic Games final. However, Euro 2024 has been a challenging experience for the Azzurri, who conceded after just 23 seconds in their opening win over Albania, were outclassed in a 1-0 defeat to Spain, and needed a last-second strike to salvage a 1-1 draw against Croatia.Switzerland opened with a 3-1 win over Hungary before 1-1 draws against Scotland and host nation Germany. The two teams faced each other in qualifying for the 2022 World Cup, drawing both games, with Switzerland finishing top of the group and Italy missing out after losing to North Macedonia in the playoffs.Several players from both teams have experience in the other country's league. Yann Sommer, Ricardo Rodríguez, Remo Freuler, Noah Okafor, Michel Aebischer, Dan Ndoye, Dennis Zakaria, Silvan Widmer, and Xherdan Shaqiri have all played in Italy's Serie A, while Federico Dimarco is the only member of Italy's squad to have played in Switzerland.The winner of the quarterfinal will face England or Slovakia in the semifinals in Düsseldorf on July 6. Italy defender Riccardo Calafiori is suspended, left back Federico Dimarco is out with an injury, and fellow defender Alessandro Bastoni's availability is in question. Switzerland defender Silvan Widmer is also suspended, and several players, including Granit Xhaka, are at risk of missing the next match if booked.Switzerland has failed to progress beyond the group stage in its first three European Championship appearances but has reached the knockout stage in each of its last three tournaments. Italy has scored in each of its previous six matches at the Olympiastadion, while Switzerland has won only one of its four penalty shootouts at a World Cup or Euros.