Switzerland cements its soccer legacy as a nation of giant killers

Switzerland goaltender Yann Sommer

Euro 2020, the Round of 16, Switzerland versus France, 80th minute. That's where our story begins: With Switzerland 3-1 down to the world champions with just 10 minutes left to play.

France looked strong throughout the group stage of the Euros and appeared utterly unbothered by the Swiss attack. But as the minutes died down, something happened. France got complacent and Switzerland got busy.

Mercurial Swiss striker Haris Seferovic found the back of the net unexpectedly in the 81st minute, seizing upon an uncharacteristic error from French defender Raphael Varane. 3-2. And then, in the 90th minute, with what could've been the last kick of the game, striker Mario Gavranovic repeated the trick. 3-3.

The game went to extra time, then to penalties. French captain Kylian Mbappe stepped up for the final kick, and Swiss goalkeeper Yann Sommer stared him down. Mbappe fired a weak effort straight at Sommer, who saved with characteristic grace and poise. France was eliminated. Switzerland was through.

Euro 2024, the Round of 16, Switzerland versus Italy, 80th minute. That's where our story lands today, three years later, with Switzerland 2-0 up on defending European champions Italy and cruising to a deserved victory.

There is no "giant killer" in international soccer quite like Switzerland. From eliminating France at Euro 2020 to eliminating Italy at Euro 2024 the Swiss have leveraged clever tactics and untouchable man management skills to punch well above their weight in international competition.

"We don't want to be defensive," Swiss coach Murat Yakin said. "We want to showcase the skill of our players and take the game to them [our opponents]."

In a world where teams are constantly trying to out-think the opposition, Yakin's philosophy – that his best team is his best team regardless of what's facing it – is refreshing and realistic. And it payed dividends in a big way during Switzerland's 2-0 hammering of Italy at these Euros.

Instead of defending against Italy's perceived midfield threat, Switzerland did what it does best. It pushed relentlessly down the field, funneling much of its attack out left through players like Ricardo Rodriguez, Michel Aebischer, Granit Xhaka and Ruben Vargas.

That method confused Italy, disturbed its midfield progression and kept it from getting out of its own half for much of the game. In the end, Switzerland's victory over the Italians looked easy and that's not something that should be true of a win over the defending champions. Yakin's tactics – and the mental fortitude behind them – were the difference.

Switzerland will move on to the quarterfinals of Euro 2024, where they'll likely face another giant in Gareth Southgate's England. Can they kill the Three Lions too? It's foolish to bet against them.

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