Euro Cup: Germany, Switzerland progress to quarterfinals

KATHMANDU: Hosts Germany booked its place in the Euro 2024 quarter-finals with a 2-0 victory over Denmark in a tightly contested round-of-16 match at Signal Iduna Park on early Sunday morning.

The match was briefly delayed due to a thunderstorm early in the first half. Both teams struggled to break down each other’s defenses in a tactical battle.

The deadlock was broken in the second half when Germany was awarded a penalty after a handball by Danish defender Joachim Andersen who had a goal disallowed moments earlier. Kai Havertz converted from the penalty spot to give Germany 1-0 lead.

Denmark pushed for an equalizer, but it was Germany which scored and doubled its lead midway through the second half. Jamal Musiala capitalized on a swift counter-attack and finished clinically past Kasper Schmeichel to put Germany 2-0 up.

The Danes continued to threaten but failed to find a breakthrough.

Germany will meet the winner of the match between Spain and Georgia in the quarter-final.

Italy crashes out

Defending champions Italy crashed out of Euro 2024 after a disappointing 2-0 defeat to Switzerland in Frankfurt Arena on Saturday night.

The Swiss dominate possession and created more scoring opportunities throughout the encounter.

Switzerland deservedly took the lead early in the first half through Remo Freuler. Freuler ran from the deep to collect the ball and scored from inside the box.

The holders applied pressure for an equalizer but lacked the cutting edge to break down a well-organized Swiss defense. Italy’s hopes for an equalizer diminished when Ruben Vargas doubled the Swiss advantage with a clinical finish just 27 seconds into the second half with a curling shot.

Switzerland will face either England or Slovakia in the quarter-final.