COLOGNE: 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.

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 h
alf-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.

Source: Emirates News Agency