Italy's defence of their European Championship title at Euro 2024 in Germany ended at the Round of 16 stage.
Luciano Spalletti's team were beaten 2-0 by Switzerland in Berlin as their relatively poor form caught up with them. Having only scraped through from the group phase thanks to a last-gasp equaliser against Croatia, the Azzurri failed to use that reprieve as a springboard towards better performances, instead limping from the competition after a tame performance in the capital.
Spalletti replaced Roberto Mancini midway through Italy's qualifying campaign and the former Napoli boss was always facing a battle to turn Italy into realistic challengers for another European crown.
Since winning the Euro 2020 final — via a penalty shootout over England at Wembley — Italy have struggled for consistency, and they failed to qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Euro 2024 was far from straightforward. A win over Albania got them off to a good start but defeat to Spain and a last-minute draw against Croatia saw them scrape through as runners-up and into the Round of 16.
Having fallen behind in all three group games, they did so again when they faced Switzerland in the knockouts. This time, they were unable to rescue a result.
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How did Italy qualify for Euro 2024?
Italy sealed qualification by the narrowest of margins as they finished in second place in Group C in behind old foes England.
After losing home and away against Gareth Southgate's side, Spalletti's charges ended the campaign locked in a tight battle with Ukraine, which was only settled in the final round of matches.
Mykhailo Mudryk was dramatically denied a penalty in added time when he was tripped by Bryan Cristante and the holders eventually edged over the line by virtue of a superior head-to-head record.
How many times have Italy won the Euros?
Italy's title win at Euro 2020 was the second time they have been crowned champions of Europe.
After powering through their group with three wins from three, Mancini steered his team past Austria, Belgium and Spain in the knockouts, before ending England's hopes in the final.
Their previous title came as hosts in 1968, when the finals were a four-team knockout tournament.
Italy European Championship results
Despite their recent World Cup qualification struggles, Italy's overall European Championship record is very strong, with three appearances in the final in the past six tournaments.
| Year | Host | Wins | Draws* | Losses | Goals Scored | Goals Conceded |
| 1968 | Italy | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 1 |
| 1980 | Italy | 1 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 |
| 1988 | West Germany | 2 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 3 |
| 1996 | England | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 3 |
| 2000 | Belgium/Netherlands | 4 | 1 | 1 | 9 | 4 |
| 2004 | Portugal | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 2 |
| 2008 | Austria/Switzerland | 1 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 4 |
| 2012 | Poland/Ukraine | 2 | 3 | 1 | 6 | 7 |
| 2016 | Poland/Ukraine | 3 | 0 | 2 | 9 | 5 |
| 2020 | Europe | 4 | 0 | 1 | 9 | 3 |
| 2024 | Germany | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 5 |
*Draws include knockout-stage games decided by penalty shootouts level after 90 minutes plus 30 minutes of extra time.
Italy European Championship record
| Year | Host | Stage Reached | Eliminated By |
| 1960 | France | Did not enter | — |
| 1964 | Spain | Did not qualify | — |
| 1968 | Italy | Champions | — |
| 1972 | Belgium | Did not qualify | — |
| 1976 | Yugoslavia | Did not qualify | — |
| 1980 | Italy | Semifinal | Czechoslovakia |
| 1984 | France | Did not qualify | — |
| 1988 | West Germany | Semifinal | Soviet Union |
| 1992 | Sweden | Did not qualify | — |
| 1996 | England | Group Stage | Germany/Czech Republic |
| 2000 | Belgium/Netherlands | Runners Up | France |
| 2004 | Portugal | Group Stage | Sweden/Denmark |
| 2008 | Austria/Switzerland | Quarterfinal | Spain |
| 2012 | Poland/Ukraine | Runners Up | Spain |
| 2016 | France | Quarterfinal | Germany |
| 2020 | Europe | Champions | — |
| 2024 | Germany | Round of 16 | Switzerland |