Euro 2024: Xhaka Eyes Ronaldo’s Record in Switzerland’s Last 16 Clash vs Italy

• Granit Xhaka is aiming to equal Portugal's, Cristiano Ronaldo's, European Championship record in the Round of 16
• The Switzerland captain has played an important role in helping his country finish second in Group A and advance to the last 16
• Xhaka could enter the history books when Switzerland takes on defending champions Italy in the knockout round

Granit Xhaka will try to equal Portugal's, Cristiano Ronaldo's, European Championship record when Switzerland faces Italy in the Round of 16 on Saturday, June 29.

The Bayer Leverkusen midfielder has been one of the standout performers at Euro 2024, winning two Man of the Match awards in Switzerland’s three group games played so far.

According to Sports Mole, if Xhaka wins the individual award again in Saturday's last-16 match against Italy, he will tie Ronaldo's record for most Man of the Match awards in a single tournament (three).

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The former Arsenal player has an impressive 87.5% passing accuracy, 16 passes into the final third, eight ball recoveries, and has covered more than 35km in Switzerland’s three group games.

Xhaka is among the early contenders for the ‘Player of the Tournament’ award owing to his impressive performances and would hope to lead Switzerland to the quarterfinals.

Xhaka hails revamped Swiss team

Meanwhile, Xhaka has praised the shift in mindset in Switzerland and voiced optimism about the team’s chances at Euro 2024 after qualifying for the Round of 16, Reuters reports.

The Swiss reached the knockout rounds in a third successive tournament after finishing second behind Germany in Group A with five points after securing one win and two draws.

Victory for Switzerland over defending champions Italy in the Round of 16 would see them progress to a second consecutive quarter-final in the European Championship and potentially set up a showdown with England.

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Swiss team praised after Germany draw

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that Murat Yakin praised Switzerland's performance despite conceding a last-gasp Niclas Fullkrug equalizer in Sunday's 1-1 draw with Euro 2024 hosts Germany.

Switzerland were on course to win Group A after Dan Ndoye scored after 28 minutes on a counterattack.

Despite Germany pressing players forward and making a number of attacking adjustments, the Swiss kept the hosts at bay until Fullkrug's stoppage-time header tied the game.