EURO 2024 UPDATES: SWITZERLAND HAUNT WOEFUL ITALY AGAIN

Switzerland were in complete control throughout and deserve their place in the quarterfinals. Robert Michael/picture alliance via Getty Images

 BERLIN -- Once again, the neighbours to the north haunt Italian nights. Italy's two draws against Switzerland -- two games in which they dominated but missed penalties -- cost them an automatic place at the 2022 World Cup. And now, this: the reigning European champions fell 2-0 in the round of 16 at Euro 2024.

The difference? This time Italy were roundly and comprehensively beaten by a Swiss side that might be less technically gifted (if so, not by much) but are more athletic, more intelligent and -- dare we say it -- better coached.

That's a credit to Swiss boss Murat Yakin, though it wasn't that long ago -- October 2023, following a 3-3 draw against Belarus that saw his side needing goals in the final two minutes to avoid an embarrassing home defeat -- that some were calling for his sacking. On that occasion, Yakin didn't help himself after the match. He was asked about how his backline looked unprepared and said: "We don't need to prepare against such teams [as Belarus]."

Switzerland certainly looked prepared against Italy ... or maybe it was just because the Azzurri were THAT bad.

They punished Luciano Spalletti's decision to drop Jorginho for Nicolo Fagioli in the playmaking role by shutting down his passing lanes; they blunted Italy's press by having Ricardo Rodríguez join Remo Freuler and Granit Xhaka in the build-up; and the constant, pacy threat of Dan Ndoye and Ruben Vargas pinned the opposition full-backs deeper than they should have been.

You can, of course, chalk up both goals to defensive errors. Freuler wasn't tracked quickly enough when he cut into the box to score the opener. And the entire backline suffered a defensive brain fart inside 27 seconds of the second half when giving Vargas all the time in the world to bend it around goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma for the second. But that would be exonerating the rest of the Italy side from responsibility for the way they were second best in every other area of the pitch.

The signature moment of the game? Not the goals, but one moment, late in the first half, with Switzerland a goal up and Italy pushing for an equalizer, when Xhaka went on a rampaging forward run, pressing one opponent, then another, until he got all the way to Donnarumma. The ball went out of play and Xhaka pumped his arms as the red half of the stadium roared.

When your 31-year-old captain, playing in his 64th game of the season for club and country, does something like that -- with hunger, energy and intelligence -- it sets the tone. And it underscored just what Switzerland had in droves and Italy lacked entirely. -- Gab Marcotti

Sights and sounds around Euro 2024

VAR takes Andersen from hero to zero

DORTMUND, Germany -- Poor Joachim Andersen. The Denmark defender went from hero to zero in the 2-0 round-of-16 defeat against Germany on Saturday in the space of two minutes and all because of VAR.

Germany ultimately coasted into the quarterfinals thanks to a Kai Havertz penalty and stunning Jamal Musiala goal, but it could all have been so different had Andersen not been the victim of an incredible, heartbreaking twist of fate in the Westfalenstadion.

The Crystal Palace defender thought he had scored his first international goal when he capitalised on a goalmouth scramble to put the ball past Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer in the 48th minute. Andersen celebrated as you would expect -- he had just put his country into the lead against the Euro 2024 host nation and Denmark were ready to fight tooth and nail to hold onto their advantage -- but those celebrations were cut short by referee Michael Oliver signalling that the VAR officials (Premier League referees Stuart Attwell and David Coote) were reviewing the goal due to a possible offside.

After an agonising wait, Andersen's goal was ruled out. The semiautomated VAR footage showed Thomas Delaney to be perhaps a millimetre offside in the build-up. It was so close, and although the decision was correct, it was the kind of offside that would never have been given before VAR because the margin was so tight that it could not be spotted by the naked eye and the advantage so minimal that it wouldn't have warranted being disallowed.

Joachim Andersen had a goal ruled out and conceded a penalty, both in controversial VAR decisions, in the span of two minutes. Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images

Yet those are the rules, and Andersen had his dream moment erased from the record books. It got worse for the 28-year-old less than two minutes later.

A cross into the penalty area by Germany defender David Raum brushed the fingernails of Andersen as he turned away. The ball did not deviate and nobody inside the ground shouted for a penalty.

Once again, though, VAR intervened. "Snicko," the new tool at the VAR's disposal that can record the slightest of touches, flagged up a possible infringement, forcing referee Oliver to watch it back.

If Oliver had been bold enough, he would have shaken his head and ruled out a penalty. Andersen's arm was not in an unnatural position, but he was penalised nonetheless and the spot kick was awarded.

Havertz scored the penalty to put Germany ahead and they never looked back, but you can bet that Andersen will spend the rest of his career looking back and cursing VAR. -- Mark Ogden

Austria birthday cake

Austria coach Ralf Rangnick was given a "pie and a beautiful song" by his squad to celebrate his 66th birthday on Saturday.

The former Manchester United interim manager has restored his reputation as one of the game's foremost tactical thinkers by guiding Austria into the Euro 2024 knockout stages, topping a group that included France and Netherlands.

And Rangnick has also been credited with forging a tight bond within his squad, turning the Austrians into a formidable outfit at the tournament. The German's popularity among his players was shown by winger Andreas Weimann promising to mark his birthday with a song.

As for the pie, Austria is famous for its pastries and cakes, so deciding whether to go for a strudel or a Sachertorte may have led to the first major disagreement among the players since arriving in Germany. -- Mark Ogden

More than 40,000 march to Germany-Denmark

More than 40,000 Germany supporters performed a 3 kilometre fan march to Borussia Dortmund's Westfalenstadion ahead of Saturday's round-of-16 clash against Denmark.

The march, led by the Germany Fan Club Bus, began in the city centre at 2 p.m. local time before arriving at the stadium three hours later, having swollen to its eventual size of around 40,000 supporters.

Fan marching to games is a tradition in German football, known as the FanMarsch, and although the march in Dortmund was a pre-planned event, supporters were encouraged to join in spontaneously with organisers handing out flags and drinks along the route. -- Mark Ogden

Germany's mosquito problem

On top of everything that his Germany team is going through as host of Euro 2024, coach Julian Nagelsmann could have really done without bug bites. But Germany's training base in Herzogenaurach, near Nuremberg in the south of the country, has become infested by mosquitoes to the point that the players don't want to leave their bedrooms.

The mosquitos arrived suddenly a few days ago -- the camp is situated by a forest with a pond, while the humid weather hasn't helped either -- and don't want to leave.

Some players have been bitten quite badly by the swimming pool where a big screen has been installed for them to watch the matches. The hotel has sprayed a cocoa-based repellent to try and help, but it has created a disgusting smell and doesn't seem to have worked either.

"We are facing an unusual epidemic," said Nagelsmann in his news conference Friday, ahead of the match against Denmark. "We need more wind so the mosquitoes go, otherwise we can't stay outdoors." -- Julien Laurens

Stat of the day

Remo Freuler's opening goal for Switzerland came after a 31-pass sequence, the longest that ended in a goal at the European Championship since 1980.

Meanwhile, Ruben Vargas' second goal (45:27) for Switzerland is the second-fastest goal scored to start the second half of a European Championship match after Romania's Marcel Coras vs. Germany (45:21) in 1984 -- ESPN Stats & Information

Match previews for Sunday

England vs. Slovakia (Gelsenkirchen; 6 p.m. local / midday ET)

Odds (via ESPN BET): England -230, Draw +333, Slovakia +700

England will want to take advantage of the so-called easier side of the bracket -- France, Germany, Portugal and Spain all watch on from the other half -- and their task begins in Gelsenkirchen against Slovakia. Gareth Southgate's side will have positive recent memories of the Arena AufSchalke given that is where England won their only game so far at this tournament: a 1-0 victory over Serbia on matchday one. They might have ended up topping Group C, but England's underwhelming level of performance in all three matches has attracted criticism for failing to match both pre-tournament expectations and the sheer quality of their individual attacking players. In that context, a game against the second-lowest-ranked team left in the competition only applies further pressure on this talented group to deliver.

Southgate knows that with his contract up at the end of the year, each knockout game could be his last in the job, and talks are set to take place over his future later this summer. The decision up until now has almost entirely been his alone to make, but fail to beat Slovakia and the judgements will be harsher than anything the 53-year-old has experienced so far. Kobbie Mainoo could come into the midfield, while Anthony Gordon and Cole Palmer are pushing for inclusion after lively cameos.

Slovenia have never reached a major tournament quarterfinal since the country became independent in 1993. -- James Olley

Spain vs. Georgia (Cologne; 9 p.m. local / 3 p.m. ET)

Odds: Spain -500, Draw +550, Georgia +1000

Based on FIFA's rankings, there is no bigger mismatch in the round of 16 than Spain vs. Georgia. The eighth-best team in the world takes on the 74th, and everything points toward a Spain win.

Luis de la Fuente's side breezed through its group, beating Italy, Croatia and Albania without conceding a goal. Spain also know Georgia well, having beaten them 7-1 in qualifying for Euro 2024 in September. With Rodri dictating things in midfield and Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams adding a new dimension on the wings, Spain have emerged as one of the favourites to lift the trophy.

But, as Georgia coach Willy Sagnol says, "This is another game and so many things can happen." Georgia's energetic style had earned them the neutrals' support even before they beat Portugal to make it into the knockout stages in their first appearance at a major tournament. And there is talent in the squad, too. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia is the danger man, Georges Mikautadze is the tournament's top scorer with three goals, and young goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili has excelled.

"We have nothing to lose -- for me, we have already won Euro 2024," Sagnol said. -- Sam Marsden.

Betting tip (odds via ESPN BET)

There are some great stories about this Spain side and one of the best is 16-year-old winger Lamine Yamal doing his homework in between matches. Yamal lit up LaLiga for Barcelona last season and doesn't look the least bit intimidated on an even bigger stage. Yamal to score any time vs. Georgia comes in at +180. -- Dan Thomas

One big read

Fans have embraced the look of Spain left-back Marc Cucurella. Nick Potts/PA Images via Getty Images

Whether at Spain's Euro 2024 training camp in Der Öschberghof in the Black Forest or on a tram to one of their games in Germany, one player has emerged as the central figure: Marc Cucurella.

For the 1-0 group-stage win against Italy in Gelsenkirchen, Spain supporter Juanma Romero and four friends all sported wigs in admiration of the Chelsea left-back's trademark long hair. "The Cucurella Boys," Romero wrote on X with an image of them posing inside the Arena AufSchalke.

By the time Spain played their third and final group game against Albania, the wigs had multiplied. They were no longer just in black, either, but also in Spain red and yellow. A group of Germany fans had even adopted Cucurella's hair for the game and, at any given opportunity, led Spanish supporters in chants of "Cucu-rella" on the tram on the way to the Arena Düsseldorf.

The wigs and chants have come accompanied with memes and songs. One meme is simple: legendary Brazil left-back Roberto Carlos with Cucurella's hair superimposed on his head. "We're alike in everything except the hair," Cucurella joked this week in an interview with Spanish media.

And finally ...

Benjamin Sesko is 6-foot-5 but still pretty quick. Getty

UEFA has compiled its statistics for Euro 2024's group stage and found that Slovenia striker Benjamin Sesko is the fastest player at the tournament so far.

Sesko, 21, is yet to score at Euro 2024 but managed to reach a sprint speed of 35.9 km/hr to top the list, ahead of Valentin Mihaila of Romania (35.8 km/hr) and Switzerland's Dan Ndoye (35.7 km/hr). The striker was linked with a summer move to both Arsenal and Manchester United before deciding to extend his stay at RB Leipzig and signing a new long-term contract.

Other notable names on the list of Euro speedsters are Manchester United striker Rasmus Hojlund (fourth), Milan winger Rafael Leão (fifth) and Real Madrid summer signing Kylian Mbappé (ninth), while Nuno Mendes (Portugal), Jeremie Frimpong (Netherlands) and Kieran Tierney (Scotland) also feature inside the top 10. -- Rob Dawson

- ESPN

EURO 2024 UPDATES: SCOTLAND'S KNOCKOUT-ROUND WAIT GOES ON

 

Scotland's dreams of a first knockout-round appearance at a major international tournament were Shaun Botterill/Getty Images

The lead: Scotland's wait for the knockouts goes on

STUTTGART, Germany -- Scotland only needed one goal before kickoff. As it was, they didn't even have a shot on target.

The team that arguably brought the biggest support to Euro 2024 still somehow managed to leave it with a whimper, losing 1-0 to Hungary in Stuttgart to finish bottom of Group A. Victory on Sunday would have almost certainly sent Scotland through as one of the four best third-place finishers, reaching the knockout stages of a major international tournament for the first time in their history, at the 12th attempt.

The Tartan Army packed the MHP Arena with lung-busting renditions of "Flower of Scotland." A bagpiper stationed near one corner of the Scottish support enhanced an occasion already rich in emotion.

Steve Clarke's pre-tournament target of four points was within reach after recovering from a heavy defeat to Germany on the opening night -- for which around 200,000 Scottish fans descended on Munich -- by drawing with Switzerland four days ago. Yet the sense of occasion seemed to consume them. Perhaps the weight of history was too much to bear.

Hungary are rarely interested in possession for the sake of it. Scotland, atypically for them, had more of the ball but the palpable plan of keeping things tight before trying their luck later merely created a first-half stalemate.

Something had to give. Hungary may have lost twice, but their only hope of reaching the round of 16 was to win here and pray results elsewhere in the next few days would be enough to see them through.

Ché Adams fired over the crossbar from outside the box on 53 minutes. The hope for Scotland was that moment would spark an onslaught, but nothing followed. Stuart Armstrong wanted a 79th-minute penalty for a challenge by Willi Orbán, but Argentinian referee Facundo Tello was unmoved. They ended the game with an expected goals (xG) of 0.19 from the sum total of five shots, four of which came in second-half stoppage time.

A troubling injury to Barnabás Varga -- who appeared to collapse on the pitch before medical staff held up sheets to hide the forward from the crowd as he was prepared to be stretchered off, the Hungarian FA later confirming that he's in stable condition -- led to 10 minutes of added time.

Finally, the sides began to push forward with intent.

Substitute Kevin Csoboth hit the post. Scotland's four shots were all blocked. And then, in the 100th minute, Hungary counterattacked from a Scotland corner and Roland Sallai found Csoboth to slot home a low finish past Angus Gunn to cue pandemonium in the Hungary end.

With Group A first to be completed, Hungary must now wait to learn their fate as the third-place teams are determined.

Scotland's interminable wait to play a knockout match goes on. It's the shots you don't take you regret the most. -- James Olley

Sights and sounds around Euro 2024

Against Germany, Switzerland prove they can be a problem in the knockouts

FRANKFURT -- On the list of special wins at a major tournament, this could have been up there alongside beating world champion France in the round of 16 at the previous Euros.

Switzerland almost shocked the whole of Germany by leading the hosts until the 92nd minute in Frankfurt and threatening to overtake them atop Group A. The hosts should have seen it coming, considering this marks the fourth game in a row against their neighbours that Die Nationalmannschaft have failed to win. Despite Niclas Fullkrug's last-minute equaliser, earning Germany a 1-1 draw, this Alps derby will almost feel like a win for la Nati.

They showed again that in big tournament they are a force to be reckoned with. They did more than compete with Julian Nagelsmann's team; they nullified Germany's attacking potential by forcing them narrow and making them too predictable, thanks to a very compact block positioned in a 3-5-2 formation and expertly directed by captain Granit Xhaka and sweeper Manuel Akanji.

Dan Ndoye's first-half goal earned Switzerland a draw in their group-stage finale against hosts Germany on Sunday. Nick Potts/PA Images via Getty Images

To hurt the German defence, manager Murat Yakin chose to drop Xherdan Shaqiri and introduce the physicality of Breel Embolo. His partnership up front with Dan Ndoye would prove tricky and tiring for Germany's hulking centre-backs Antonio Rüdiger and Jonathan Tah to track.

Ndoye has lacked a clinical presence in the first two Swiss games, failing to score against 0.69 xG against the Scots and 0.22 expected goals and assists against the Magyars, but he can run. He predominately played in wide positions for Bologna this past season, where he could put his pace to use, and was always a threat in behind here, outpacing Rüdiger to create an opportunity in the first half that he put just wide.

Eventually, Ndoye got his first goal of the tournament, a very well-taken effort from close range just before the half-hour mark.

Even if the Swiss will feel disappointed not to have won, their superb performance, supported by 15,000 fans in Frankfurt, proved again that Yann Sommer & Co will be a problem for whoever faces them in the knockout rounds -- Julien Laurens

Ronaldo makes a mascot's day

It seems like everybody wants a piece of Cristiano Ronaldo at Euro 2024, from selfie-chasing pitch invaders to young mascots who are determined to make the most of being so close to the Portugal forward.

Six fans -- four during the game and two as the players left the field after the final whistle -- ran onto the pitch during Saturday's 3-0 win against Turkey in Dortmund, in an attempt to take a selfie with the former Real Madrid and Manchester United player. The incidents left Portugal coach Roberto Martínez voicing his concern over what could happen if players are approached by spectators with ill intent.

But there was a more harmless moment prior to kickoff when one of the mascots lingered on the pitch after the national anthems just to get a hug from Ronaldo.

A mascot makes sure she gets a hug of the Portugal legend. Angel Martinez - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images

The little girl was stood in front of Portugal goalkeeper Diogo Costa during the prematch ceremony, but she had eyes only for Ronaldo. She kept looking back, and reaching out to touch her hero.

And as soon as the anthems finished, she followed the Portugal captain until he noticed her and smiled before giving her a big hug. -- Mark Ogden

Don't call us Sweden!

Among the wall of red Switzerland supporters for their match against Scotland was a small white sign. It read: "We are not Sweden." As you bump into Swiss fans around Germany, you may also see this slogan on t-shirts.

It all relates to people confusing the two countries, confusing the "Sw" in their names. It got to such an extent that Sweden launched their own marketing campaign last year called, "Welcome to Sweden (not Switzerland)." It features a clip of U.S. President Joe Biden saying in 2022 that Switzerland was joining NATO, when it was in fact Sweden.

Jacques Pitteloud, ambassador of Switzerland to the U.S., has since done his own video, clarifying Switzerland's side of the story.

So while Switzerland were taking on Germany on Sunday night in Frankfurt, the other "Sw" was watching on from home, having not qualified for Euro 2024. -- Tom Hamilton

A Switzerland fan makes his point clear. Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images

Georgia's press in hot water

Georgia are making their debut at a major tournament, and everyone connected to the team is determined to enjoy it.

Support has been feverish among fans outside the stadiums and in the stands, but the same has also been true of the press tribune. Media reporters wearing Georgia shirts celebrate goals in the same way as any fan, and every time their team launches an attack, they beat the desks with their fists in anticipation. It all got too much for one UEFA official during the game against Turkey ... and, as a result, a number of Georgia media representatives were politely asked to calm down.

After the 1-1 draw with Czechia on Saturday, goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili was asked to conduct a news conference after his 11 saves earned him the man of the match award. After taking a couple of questions, Mamardashvili got to leave but before he did, he received a round of applause from the Georgian media in the room. -- Rob Dawson

Nagelsmann gets inspiration from basketball

A Canadian could play a big part in Germany's success at Euro 2024. Gordon Herbert is the Germany basketball head coach. Born 65 years ago in Penticton, British Columbia, he led his team to a win the world championships against all odds last summer in Pasay in the Philippines, beating the United States in the semifinals and Serbia in the final.

He was invited by Nagelsmann, his counterpart with the soccer team, to explain to his players the keys to success with his basketball players.

Herbert, who also has a Finnish passport after playing basketball in the country, came to Herzogenaurach, Germany's camp during the Euros, to talk about his philosophy and share his experience.

One of Hebert's points was finding the right balance of players in a well-constructed squad. He detailed that to be successful, a team needs pigs, who do the heavy work, and race horses, who are the difference makers. Germany have plenty of players who can execute both responsibilities. -- Julien Laurens

Stat of the day

Fullkrug's goal was Germany's third stoppage-time strike this tournament. That's the most by any team in a single European Championship. -- ESPN Stats & Information

Match previews for Monday

Group B: Albania vs. Spain (Düsseldorf; 9 p.m. local / 3 p.m. ET)

Odds (via ESPN BET): Albania +5500, Draw +340, Spain -210

During Euro 2024, Albania have held meetings in Madrid, brainstormed in Barcelona and eaten in Seville. Those are the names of some of the rooms and the cafeteria at the Sportcentrum Kamen-Kaiserau where they are based in Germany. They were given those names after Spain stayed there for the World Cup in 2006. Albania will desperately hope it is some sort of good omen ahead of their match against the Spanish in Düsseldorf, where they have the chance to create history by reaching the knockout rounds for the first time ever.

That is easier said than done against a Spain side who have impressed in wins over Croatia and Italy. However, with La Roja already through to the round of 16, and midfielder Rodri suspended, coach Luis de la Fuente is expected to make changes. That could help Albania, ranked 66th in the world by FIFA (only Georgia are lower-ranked at the finals), in their quest for the three points which would almost certainly earn passage into the next round. A draw to finish on two points is unlikely to be enough. -- Sam Marsden

Group B: Croatia vs. Italy (Leipzig; 9 p.m. local / 3 p.m. ET)

Odds: Croatia +210, Draw +220, Italy +135

Both Italy, coming off the 3-0 humiliation at the hands of Spain, and Croatia, who will almost certainly need a win to stay in contention, face Monday's clash in Leipzig with trepidation. Croatia boss Zlatko Dalic kept things simple: "We were facing elimination in Qatar, too, and then went on to the semifinals ... It's as if the knockouts have already started and you have to win to advance."

Dalic will need to make a big call with two key men of his "golden generation" with Ivan Perisic and Marcelo Brozovic both rumored to be facing being dropped for this game.

A draw would suffice for Italy, who say they will play for the win. If they do win, they'd be making history given that in eight previous encounters they have never beaten Croatia. Azzurri boss Luciano Spalletti is reportedly mulling wholesale changes, including replacing Jorginho in midfield with Nicolo Fagioli. It would be quite a comeback for the Juventus midfielder, who was suspended for gambling on football for most of the 2023-24 campaign. -- Gabriele Marcotti

Betting tip (odds via ESPN BET)

Both Italy and Croatia have disappointed so far this tournament. So many were critical of Italy's performance against Spain, where they were completely outplayed. Having said that, I still think collectively they are better than Croatia. So, Italy +130. -- Dan Thomas

One big read

Ronaldo is still the selfie king, even at 39 years old, 20 years after appearing at his first major tournament for Portugal. But it's probably a sign of his waning influence on his national team that he registered more selfie attempts from picture-chasing fans than significant contributions for his country during Saturday's 3-0 win against Turkey.

But Ronaldo is in Germany to play football and inspire Portugal to a second European title in three tournaments, and the harsh reality is that his powers are on the wane. The selfie stunts may end up being a distraction from his performance against Turkey, but no one can escape the truth forever, and Ronaldo, who was once the man who carried a nation's hopes, might now end up holding his team back if they progress to the latter stages.

- Mark Ogden: Ronaldo's declining ability could hurt Portugal

And finally ...

Daughter's wedding or Scotland game? Pat Nevin couldn't choose ...

Family is everything in the Nevin household. Pat, the former Scotland international and Chelsea and Everton winger, and his wife Annabel have two children, Simon and Lucy. When Lucy announced her engagement and wedding, everyone in the house in Duns, a small town in the Scottish Borders, was over the moon. The wedding was all organised in a gorgeous venue on the border with England for the weekend of June 22-23 ... Then Scotland qualified for the Euros.

When the schedule came out it showed that Scotland would play their final group game, decisive to make it to the knockout stages for the first time in their history, on June 23.

As a loving father, Pat couldn't miss the wedding. Yet as a pundit and commentator for the BBC, he couldn't miss what could be the biggest game in Scotland's history, either. So he celebrated the wedding Saturday, left the venue at 5 a.m. Sunday -- when some guests had just gone to bed -- and made it to Stuttgart for the game, hoping that the celebrations in Germany would be as joyous as the ones in Scotland. Only to watch Scotland go out with a whimper, barely taking a shot on goal. -- Julien Laurens

- ESPN