On this star-studded European night, an unexpected storm swept through the world of football, and the defending champions Italy encountered a cold challenge like the Swiss Alps on their way to the knockout stage of the European Championship, and finally ended the quarter-finals with a score of 0-2, drawing an unexpected end to the original star-studded road to defending the title.
It's not just a loss in the game, it's more like a football version of A Song of Ice and Fire, with dramatic twists and profound lessons that are enough for all football lovers to chew on.
Before the game, the Italian team was saddled with the aura of champions, and everything seemed to be going according to the established script, however, the charm of football lies in its unpredictability.
The Swiss team, an often underestimated opponent, showed the world tonight in an impressive way that "the mountains are not high, but the fairies are spiritual".
At the start of the game, the Swiss team was like a precise Swiss watch, with every part working just right, and their tactical execution was like the meticulous operation of a watchmaker, tearing down the Italian defence step by step.
In the first half, the Swiss team's offensive was unstoppable like spring water melting on a snowy mountain.
Fruller's goal was like finding a tiny crack in Italy's solid defensive line, and the first blow caught the Italian team off guard.
And Vargas's blitzkrieg made the Italian team feel the pressure like an avalanche in the Alps, and the score of 2-0 was frozen almost before the opening whistle of the second half.
This is not only the lead of the score, but also the comprehensive psychological suppression, every touch of the ball, every run, the Swiss team is silently announcing to the world that they are not here to run, they are here to rewrite history.
On the other hand, the Italian team does not seem to have come out of the shadow of being drawn twice by the Swiss team in the last World Preliminary Tournament, and the bold change of head coach Spalletti is not a tactical innovation.
Despite the high hopes of rising stars such as Chiesa, Scamacca and El Shaarawy, Italy's attack was covered in snow and ice in the face of Switzerland's airtight defence and efficient counter-attacks.
The only few shots on goal in the whole game were like a breeze in winter, gently passing by, leaving no trace.
The process of the game reminds people of the old saying: "Football is round."
"In the world of football, there is no eternal king, only the brave who constantly challenge themselves and have the courage to innovate.
Italy's exit, while staggering, is also the best illustration of the essence of football – no matter who you are, no matter how glorious your past is, once you stand on the pitch, you have to give it your all, otherwise, even Switzerland under the Alps can be your Waterloo.
For England, this was undoubtedly an unexpected "gift", and Italy's early exit seemed to make their road to the title less difficult.
But the beauty of football is that every opponent's departure is a wake-up call to the remaining teams, reminding them that no victory can be taken for granted, and that every step must be taken firmly and carefully.
To sum up, this match is not only a proof of the strength of the Swiss team, but also a reminder to all football teams: on the green field, there is no permanent winner, only the spirit of continuous improvement.
Italy's defeat is a wave in the long history of football, reminding us to cherish every game, because here, miracles and regrets coexist, glory and loneliness coexist.
And we, as witnesses, can only look forward to the next excitement, because football is never short of stories.