Switzerland’s dominant first-half display helped earn them a 3-1 victory over Hungary in Group A at Euro 2024.
In just his second appearance for his country, Kwadwo Duah opened the scoring after a brilliantly timed run allowed him to latch on to Michel Aebischer’s through ball and beat Peter Gulacsi.
Switzerland continued to push for a second and were rewarded just before half-time with Aebischer’s beautiful curling effort landing in the bottom right-hand corner.
Hungary came out fighting after the break and got themselves back into it when a cross from captain Dominik Szoboszlai found the head of Roland Varga.
But it ultimately wasn’t enough, and Breel Embolo rounded off the win with a lifted finish over Gulacsi’s head in stoppage time.
The win now puts Switzerland level on points with hosts Germany in Group A.
Today’s game was widely seen as the decider for second place given both will be expected to beat Scotland and lose to the hosts.
However, anything can happen and Hungary will still fancy their chances of progressing even if it’s as one of the best third-placed teams.
Talking Point – Are Hungary feeling the pressure?
Heading into the tournament Hungary were fancied by many as being one of the dark horses given their impressive unbeaten run in qualifying, but they looked off the pace today.
They struggled to create chances in the first half and whilst they were much improved in the second period, you can’t afford many mistakes at a major tournament or you will be punished.
Their next game is against the hosts Germany and it will be a huge ask for them to get anything out of that game.
Player of the Match – Michel Aebischer (Switzerland)
There were several good Swiss players on the pitch today and their experience showed, but Aebischer’s display in the first half was incredible.
He created several chances from midfield, assisting Duah for the first goal and then expertly finishing from 23 yards out for the second.
If Scotland are to have any chance of beating Switzerland next week, they’ll need to deal with him.
Player Ratings
Hungary: Gulacsi 5; Lang 4, Orban 5, Szalai 5; Fiola 4, Nagy 5, Schafer 4, Kerkez 4; Sallai 6, Szoboszlai 7; Varga 7.
Switzerland: Sommer 7; Schar 7, Akanji 6, Rodriguez 6; Widmer 7, Xhaka 8, Freuler 7, Ndoye 7; Aebischer 9, Vargas 7; Duah 8.
Match Highlights
12 – GOAL! HUNGARY 0-1 SWITZERLAND (DUAH) – Duah’s perfectly timed run allowed him to latch on to a through ball from Aebischer and slot past Gulacsi.
44 – GOAL! HUNGARY 0-2 SWITZERLAND (AEBISCHER) – Aebischer was looking for a pass on the edge of the box but decided to go it alone and beautifully curled the ball past Gulacsi .
66 – GOAL! HUNGARY 1-2 SWITZERLAND (VARGA) – A cross from captain Szoboszlai finds Varga who gets ahead of his man and heads home from a couple of yards out.
90+3 – GOAL! HUNGARY 1-3 SWITZERLAND (EMBOLO) – A terrible header from Fiola fell straight to Embolo who volleyed the ball over Gulacsi’s head.