Yakin’s team begins its European Championship with a victory and three important points in group A: bitter debut for Marco Rossi’s boys
It’s a Switzerland’s winning debut at Euro2024: the Swiss beat Hungary 3-1 on the first day of group A, immediately chasing Germany (victorious 5-1 yesterday over Scotland). The goals decide the match Duah (12′), Aebischer (45′) ed Embolus (93′). However, the Hungarians’ European Championship started badly, for which a goal was not enough Varga (66′): An immediate reaction will be needed next Wednesday against the Germans.
THE MATCH
The challenge starts already in the 12th minute, when Switzerland takes the lead: Aebischer pierces the Hungarian defense with a perfect through ball and Duah, making his second appearance for the national team, immediately makes it 1-0. Referee Vincic initially disallowed it for offside, but the goal was then validated after VAR intervention. Just over five minutes pass and Vargas devours the second goal, hitting Gulacsi squarely from two steps. Hungary seems not to have taken the field and the Swiss then took advantage of it, managing the ball and the pace of the match as they pleased. The Hungarians’ first shot towards Sommer’s goal comes in the 40th minute: Orban’s header, however, is weak and central. At the end of the first half, Switzerland struck again with Aebischer: the Bologna midfielder found a perfect curling shot from outside the area and scored his first goal for the national team. The second half begins with another chance for Duah, followed by an attempt by Vargas. As the minutes passed, Hungary grew and the game changed: Varga first devoured a couple of shots and then finally clocked in, closing the gap. The Swiss react and try to create new dangers with Ndoye: Bologna’s talent does not spare himself, but never finds a winning conclusion. In the final, the Hungarians try to equalize the result, but it is Embolo who closes everything with the lob and the goal to make it 3-1 in the 93rd minute. Switzerland wins, thus obtaining three very important points and climbing to the top of group A together with Germany. Hungary, however, remains at zero, like Scotland.
REPORT CARDS
Aebischer 7 – At Bologna his excellent performances are no longer newsworthy, but who would have thought that the great protagonist of Switzerland’s debut would be him? Assist to Toni Kroos for the 1-0 and goal as a playmaker for the 2-0. The only flaw was Varga’s goal.
Duah 6.5 – Imagine making your debut with your national team at a European Championship with just one appearance under your belt (45′ to be precise) and scoring immediately with your first shot on goal. It’s the dream afternoon that Duah, the center forward you don’t expect from Switzerland, experienced.
Ndoye 6.5 – Yakin entrusts him with the task of creating havoc in the Hungarian defense and he executes the script in the best possible way. It’s a constant thorn in his side, even if he doesn’t find personal glory.
Varga 6 – First he wastes the impossible and then he scores: the result is a passable match. His goal gives his teammates hope, but it’s not enough.
Szoboszlai 6 – He is Hungary’s man of greatest quality and it shows in the second half, when he gives Varga the assist for the goal that closes the gap. He will remember this match above all for having become the youngest captain in the history of the European Championships, at just 23 years old (record taken from Beppe Bergomi).
Szalai 4.5 – Ndoye drives him crazy from the first minute and he never manages to find a countermeasure to stop him. He will not leave the city of Cologne with a good memory.
THE SCORESHEET
HUNGARY-SWITZERLAND 1-3
Hungary (3-4-2-1): Gulacsi 6; Lang 5.5 (1′ st Bolla 6), Orban 5.5, Szalai 4.5 (34′ st Dardai sv); Fiola 5.5, Nagy 5.5 (22′ st Kleinheisler 6), Schafer 5.5, Kerkez 5 (34′ st Adam sv); Sallai 5.5, Szoboszlai 6; Varga 6. Available: Dibusz, Szappanos, Balogh, Nego, Gazdag, Styles, Zs. Nagy, Botka, Csoboth, Horvath, Kata. All.: Rossi.
Switzerland (3-4-2-1): Summer 6; Rodriguez 6.5, Akanji 6, Schar 6; Ndoye 6.5 (41′ st Rieder sv), Freuler 6.5 (41′ st Sierro sv), Xhaka 6, Widmer 5.5 (23′ st Stergiou 5.5); Vargas 6 (29′ st Embolo 6), Aebischer 7; Duah 6.5 (23′ st Amdouni 6). Available: Mvogo, Kobel, Elvedi, Okafor, Steffen, Zesiger, Shaqiri, Jashari. All.: Yakin.
Referee: Vincic (Slovenia)
Markers: 12′ Duah (S), 45′ Aebischer (S), 21′ st Varga (U), 48′ st Embolo (S)
Warned: Widmer (S), Freuler (S), Szalai (U), Fiola (U), Yakin (S)
