Breel Embolo came off the bench to wrap up all three points for Switzerland in their UEFA EURO 2024 opener against Hungary.
Breel Embolo came off the bench, and back from injury, to score the goal which secured Switzerland’s win
Breel Embolo scored in added time to help Switzerland hold off Hungary’s second-half fightback and get their UEFA EURO 2024 campaign off to a winning start.
Key moments
10′: Sallai rifles over after Fiola breaks free down right
12′: Duah slots home from Aebischer’s eye-of-the-needle pass
20′: Vargas denied by Gulácsi after latching onto errant pass
40′: Orbán heads straight at Sommer from free-kick
45′: Aebischer bends in accurate effort from just outside the area
54′: Snap-shot from Vargas gathered by Gulácsi
66′: Varga heads in at back post after Szoboszlai’s searching centre
90+3′: Embolo lobs over Gulácsi after latching onto loose header
Match in brief: Switzerland set off with victory
Kwadwo Duah wheels away in celebration after striking early on in Cologne
It was not long after Hungary’s first meaningful foray forward – which resulted in a shot over the bar by Roland Sallai – that Switzerland opened their EURO 2024 account. Starting wide on the left, Michel Aebischer had been drifting inside to good effect and picked up the ball in space to thread in Kwadwo Duah, who slotted confidently past Péter Gulácsi.
Hungary were being pinned back and Switzerland always looked more likely. The second arrived on the stroke of half-time as some slick passing on the edge of the box found Aebischer, who curled a low shot into the bottom corner.
Marco Rossi shuffled his pack at the break, bringing on Bendegúz Bolla, and the Magyarok responded well. Moments after spurning a glorious headed chance, Barnabás Varga stooped low to glance in from captain Dominik Szoboszlai’s centre.
The pace of the game lifted and half-chances came at either end. Crosses rained into the Switzerland box, but the back line stood firm – and it was the Nati who then broke clear to secure all three points as Breel Embolo, off the bench and back from injury, capitalised on a loose header and lifted the ball over Gulácsi.
Vivo Player of the Match: Granit Xhaka (Switzerland)
“A complete midfield performance – excellent in possession both in the build-up and in telling passes. Great work ethic and leadership, and a great organiser.”
UEFA Technical Observer panel
Andy Clark, Hungary reporter
Not the start Hungary wanted to get off to at EURO 2024, but a much better second-half showing following a first 45 minutes in which Rossi’s side were largely second best. Hungary were much more like their usual selves in the second half, and when you have the creative talents of Szoboszlai coupled with the predatory instinct of Varga, there’s always a chance.
Anna-Sophia Vollmerhausen, Switzerland reporter
A winning start for the Swiss, who looked in control for much of today’s game. Aebischer will get plenty of plaudits for his goal and assist today, but it would be remiss to not extend that praise to Ruben Vargas, Dan Ndoye and Duah, who all looked equally hungry in front of goal – and, of course, how wonderful to see Embolo back and scoring. It’s the result the Swiss were hoping for, with three points on the board, although they will rue having missed out on a clean sheet and for allowing their control to slip by allowing Hungary a chance to get back in the game.
Reaction
Michel Aebischer scored one and set one up in a superb first-half display
Key stats
Dominik Szoboszlai set up his side’s goal on the day he became the youngest every EURO captain
- Switzerland have lost only one of their last eight EURO group stage matches (W4 D3).
- Duah marked his competitive international debut with the game’s opening goal.
- Duah became only the third Swiss player to mark his first EURO appearance with a goal, after Kübilay Türkyilmaz against England in 1996 and Fabian Schär versus Albania in the 2016 edition.
- Hungary captain Dominik Szoboszlai became the youngest-ever EURO captain, at the age of 23 years and 234 days.
- Roland Sallai became the 50th player to make 50 appearances for Hungary.
Line-ups
Hungary: Gulácsi; Lang (Bolla 46), Orbán, Szalai (Dárdai 79); Fiola, Nagy (Kleinheisler 67), Schäfer, Kerkez (Ádám 79); Sallai, Szoboszlai; Varga
Switzerland: Sommer; Schär, Akanji, Rodríguez; Widmer (Stergiou 68), Xhaka, Freuler (Sierro 86), Aebischer; Ndoye (Rieder 86), Vargas (Embolo 74); Duah (Amdouni 68)