BERLIN, June 29 (Xinhua) — For the first time in eight years Germany booked the quarterfinals in the Euro 2024 after goals from Kai Havertz and Jamal Musiala secured the host a 2-0 win over Denmark in last 16 at Dortmund’s Signal Iduna Park on Saturday.

Germany took the reins from the starting whistle and thought they had opened the scoring with just four minutes played but Nico Schlotterbeck’s opener was ruled out due to a foregone foul play.

Denmark goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel had his hands full of work, denying the dangerous efforts from Joshua Kimmich and Havertz as Germany pressed for the opener.

The flow of the game got disrupted as the match was suspended due to severe weather at the half hour mark.

After the restart, Germany should have opened the scoring, but Havertz couldn’t beat Schmeichel by header while Schlotterbeck headed into the side netting.

Denmark showed signs of life in the closing period of the first half but Rasmus Hojlund couldn’t overcome Germany custodian Manuel Neuer after a counterattack.

After the half time, Denmark’s Joachim Andersen got a goal disallowed due to an offside position by Thomas Delaney.

Andersen remained in the thick of things as his handball inside the box handed Germany a penalty. Havertz stepped up and converted the penalty to break the deadlock in the 53rd minute.

Havertz had the chance to make it two moments later, but the Arsenal striker couldn’t beat Schmeichel following a one-on-one.

Denmark opened up and pushed forward but for all that Neuer was equal to Hojlund’s effort on target in the 66th minute.

Schmeichel was hapless two minutes later as Schlotterbeck set up Musiala, who scored with a well-placed curl into the top right corner to put the win beyond doubt.

Denmark never recovered from the second blow whereas Germany remained wasteful with their finish in the closing stages.

“We started well and scored early on. It was a hectic clash due to the suspension, but we showed resilience. We should have scored more goals though,” said Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann.

The Germans will face either Spain or Georgia in the quarterfinals on July 5.

Source(s): Xinhua

BERLIN, June 29 (Xinhua) — Ruben Vargas’ assist and goal paved the way for Switzerland’s 2-0 victory over titleholder Italy in the Euro 2024 last 16 at Berlin Olympia stadium on Saturday.

Switzerland controlled possession and pressed Italy onto the back foot but still Murat Yakin’s team had to wait until the 24th minute before Breel Embolo’s effort forced goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma into action.

The Nati eventually broke the deadlock with 37 minutes played when Vargas’ cutback pass found Remo Feulner, who made no mistake and tapped home past Donnarumma.

Donnarumma remained busy as he had to palm Fabian Rieder’s dangerous free kick around the woodwork just before the half time.

Switzerland continued on the front foot and doubled its advantage within seconds of the restart as Vargas finished the job into the top right corner following a counterattack.

Harmless Italy almost halved the deficit against the run of the flow after Switzerland defender Fabian Schar cleared the ball to the right post.

In the closing stage, Italy threw every man up front and came close in the 74th minute when Gianluca Scamacca rattled the woodwork.

However, Switzerland’s victory was never in danger as Italy couldn’t overcome goalkeeper Yann Sommer.

“We were also lucky. The almost own goal was a shock moment, but the team were great, and we were able to defend the result to the end. I hope this is not the end of the road for us and we can keep making history,” said Switzerland coach Yakin.

“It hurts to go out like this, we apologise to everyone. They deserved it. We struggled the whole match. In the first half, we lost too many balls. It was tough, a very tough match to digest. In the first half we did badly because they always had the ball. We wanted to start better in the second half, but we conceded a goal straight away instead,” said Italy goalkeeper Donnarumma.

Yakin’s boys will face either England or Slovakia in the quarterfinals on July 6.

Source(s): Xinhua

LAS VEGAS, June 29 (Xinhua) — Vinicius Junior scored twice as Brazil all but secured a spot into the Copa America quarterfinals on Friday with a 4-1 victory over Paraguay.

Real Madrid forward Vinicius netted either side of a Savinho strike before Omar Alderete reduced the deficit with a long-range effort.

Lucas Paqueta made up for an earlier penalty miss by converting from the spot just after the hour as Brazil clinched its first win of the tournament.

The result leaves the five-time World Cup winner second in Group D with four points, two points behind Colombia and three ahead of third-placed Costa Rica. The Selecao also has a plus-three goal difference – six ahead of Costa Rica – with one group-stage match remaining.

Paraguay is already guaranteed of elimination, having lost each of its first two matches.

Paqueta squandered the chance to put his side ahead just after the half-hour at Allegiant Stadium when he sent his penalty attempt wide following an Andres Cubas hand ball.

But he went some way to making amends moments later as his delightful through ball found Vinicius, who dashed away from his marker and slotted a shot below goalkeeper Rodrigo Morinigo.

Girona forward Savinho extended the lead by tapping in from close range after Rodrygo’s shot was parried clear by Morinigo.

Brazil’s confidence grew by the minute and it extended its lead on the stroke of halftime through Vinicius, who stabbed home a first-time effort after Alderete’s errant clearance.

Paraguay emerged from the interval with a renewed sense of purpose and Alderete atoned for his earlier error by controlling a high ball with his chest and thumping an unstoppable 25-yard drive into the bottom-right corner.

But Brazil continued to attack and it was awarded another penalty when Mathias Villasanti was deemed to have blocked Savinho’s attempt on goal with his left arm.

Paqueta again stepped up for the spot-kick and this time the West Ham midfielder calmly chipped his shot into the bottom right corner.

Paraguay was reduced to 10 men nine minutes from time after Cubas’ studs up challenge on Douglas Luiz earned the Vancouver Whitecaps midfielder a straight red card.

Brazil controlled the match thereafter as it put its campaign back on track following a goalless draw with Costa Rica last Monday.

Earlier, Colombia booked a place in the quarterfinals with a 3-0 victory over Costa Rica, a result that extended the Cafeteros’ winning sequence to 10 games.

Source(s): Xinhua