Embolo returns with a bang as Yakin’s men start with a win

Switzerland fended off a Hungary fightback to join Germany at the top of Group A at Euro 2024 on Saturday.

Murat Yakin’s men appeared to be cruising to a routine win after going in at half-time 2-0 up thanks to efforts from Kwadwo Duah and Michel Aebischer.

Hungary belatedly gave their boisterous supporters something to cheer when Barnabas Varga pulled one back midway through the second half.

But Switzerland made sure of the win deep into injury-time when substitute Breel Embolo lobbed Hungary goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi to make it 3-1.

Breel Embolo seals the win for Switzerland 🔒

No strapping, no problem for the striker!#Euro2024 | #HUNSUI pic.twitter.com/NJWpvYLh6f

— ITV Football (@itvfootball) June 15, 2024

Xhaka stars in one-sided first half

Hungary came in as many people’s dark horses, having lost just two of their previous 20 games, but they were blown away in a first half dominated by the Swiss.

With Grant Xhaka pulling the strings in midfield and Aebischer and Dan Ndoye offering pace and guile from wide positions, Switzerland started strongly and it was no surprise then they took the lead after 12 minutes.

Aebischer drifted in off the left to find a pocket of space which he utilised to thread a ball through to Duah and he made no mistake by clipping past the advancing Gulacsi. The assistant referee’s flag went up but VAR overruled and the goal stood.

Gulacsi came to Milos Kerkez’s rescue seven minutes later after a sloppy pass from the Bournemouth left-back gave Ruben Vargas a clear run on goal. Gulacsi stood tall and Vargas’ shot clipped his shoulder and went wide.

Hungary had offered nothing up to the point they almost equalised after 39 minutes, Willi Orban’s header from a Dominik Szoboszlai free-kick aimed straight at Yann Sommer.

Aebischer made it 2-0 thanks in part to some woeful Hungary defending. Having initially failed to clear despite several opportunities, they then stood off the Bologna man on the edge of the box and he…

Source link : https://www.101greatgoals.com/news/hungary-1-3-switzerland-match-report/

Author : Jon Fisher

Publish date : 2024-06-15 15:03:21

Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.