Euro 2024 is now in its knockout stages which means there have been a number of iconic moments as well as disappointing outings recorded so far.

Par for the course, Italy’s reign as champions of Europe was brought to an end by a vastly superior Switzerland side who dished out a 2-0 defeat in Berlin.

That incredible Round of 16 tie saw Switzerland set out to control possession and they succeeded as Italy struggled physically and technically to deal with their opponents.

Remo Freuler got the breakthrough in the 37th minute as he turned a low cross into the back of the net. Ruben Vargas then fired a shot into the top corner early in the second half as the Swiss booked their spot in the Last 8.

Victory over the defending champions was Switzerland’s first over Italy in all competitions since 1993, and only their second knockout win without needing penalties since the 1938 World Cup. It also means the reigning champions have now been eliminated in the Last 16 at the last three Euros tournaments.

Murat Yakin’s men will take on England on Saturday 6 July at the Merkur Spiel-Arena in Dusseldorf.

The Three Lions overcame Slovakia to progress to the quarter-finals despite looking well off the pace for long periods and going behind in the first half. They eventually forced extra-time through Jude Bellingham’s sensational bicycle kick with the last action of normal time and then took the lead in the 91st minute through Harry Kane.

Meanwhile, Euro 2024 has been a major success for Switzerland who have now equalled their record-best quarter-finals place after eliminating then-world champions France at  ro 2020.

The A-Team began their campaign with a 3-1 win over Hungary before Xherdan Shaqiri’s sensational strike earned a point against Scotland on Matchday 2. They came close to beating tournament hosts Germany in their final group game, but were denied victory and top spot in Group A by Niclas Fullkrug’s 92nd-minute equalizer.

Switzerland were underdogs when they lined up against holders Italy in Berlin on Saturday but proceeded to deliver a footballing lesson in effective pressing and organization.

There was nevertheless lots of quality on show from Murat Yakin’s side as Granit Xhaka and Remo Freuler dictated the game from midfield while Ruben Vargas was decisive down the left wing. Manuel Akanji put in an excellent performance defensively as well as in possession as his team comfortably saw the game out; the overall display was exemplary and Switzerland will certainly be England’s toughest opponents in Germany so far.

The Red Crosses have scored seven goals at this Euros which have all come from different players. There is a distinct team cohesion which is a huge reason why they have lost just one of their last 18 matches, winning eight and drawing nine.

After knocking out France on penalties at their only previous European Championship Round of 16 game three years ago, this outright win and clean sheet against Italy now ranks up there among the greatest Swiss victories ever.

“We saw the fans afterwards and also in our previous three matches and it really sends a shiver down your spine,” Murat Yakin said. “It is hugely gratifying.

“All this support shows we are on the right track and we are doing things the right way. We are in a position we have earned but we are not done yet.

“We sent out an important signal in terms of the game we played. We didn’t only club together and defend as a unit and sit back, in fact we showed that we could attack and dominate in every area of the pitch.”

Beware of the Dark Horses

England have had to labour to a win and three draws over 90 minutes so far despite the embarrassment of talents at Gareth Southgate’s disposal.

The midfield area – where there have been the most changes – has thus far lacked balance while the attack is looking toothless in spite of the world class performers there.

Phil Foden has struggled throughout the tournament in an unfamiliar left-wing role and Bellingham’s presence in the number 10 position deprives him of the areas he prefers to operate in. The Three Lions lack a willing runner off the ball as all of Kane, Foden and Bukayo Saka all prefer the ball to feet.

After four sub-par performances, Southgate desperately needs to make some changes to give his side any hope of going far in the competition. Hence, Anthony Gordon could be handed an opportunity from the start and his pace could make a difference against Switzerland.

England will have one more position to worry about as Marc Guehi, one of their standout players at Euro 2024, will be suspended in the quarterfinal and there will be a new face alongside John Stones at the heart of defence.

Yet, they will be up against a well-drilled Swiss side with a starting line-up against Italy that boasted 723 caps between them. England have been the polar opposite as they lack any synergy which would pose a serious problem in the quarterfinal.

Switzerland are now a surprise package and should be considered one of the dark horses at this tournament. When this observation was put to their manager, he urged caution and focus in the games to come.

“So much can still happen,” Yakin said. “It’s the knockout stage, every game has its own story, every match is decisive, but we have the right shape and we have the right gameplan and we are a good team, we showed that again here.

“But we still need to keep our feet on the ground. We need to make sure that we are humble in our approach, because that has underpinned how we have conducted ourselves so far.”

That humility may be the undoing of England’s perceived arrogance at major tournaments, and the assurance of their system with the confidence they have built so far in this tournament may be too much for the Three Lions to handle come Saturday.

Having reached at least the Last 16 of five consecutive major tournaments since the 2014 World Cup, those experiences of knockout football will stand them in good stead against an uncertain England team.

Switzerland may just be an unstoppable force at EURO 2024, and in their easier side of the draw, they could be in for a historic summer.