The Nati controlled the debates for their first match, Saturday, and offered themselves three precious points against the Hungarians who reacted too late (3-1).
Published
Reading time: 1 min
:quality(50)/2024/06/15/043-dpa-pa-240615-99-408733-dpai-666da90656aec366208515.jpg)
The doubts already seem to have been dispelled. Arriving without certainty at the Euro, Switzerland reassured itself by beating Hungary for its entry into contention (3-1), Saturday June 15 at the RheinEnergieStadion in Cologne. Lacking confidence after sluggish qualifications, finishing in second place in its group behind Romania, the Nati is perfectly poised to get out of the groups as in its last five major competitions, after Germany’s demonstration against Scotland (5-1) Friday.
Aligned at the forefront to everyone’s surprise for only his second selection, Kwadwo Duah (27) was quick to reward his coach for his confidence. The Ludogorets striker, who celebrated his first cap against Estonia in a preparation match, opened the scoring in the 12th minute. Michel Aebischer doubled the lead just before the break (45th minute), cementing the Nati’s stifling domination in the first period.
The score could even have been worse without a good Peter Gulacsi, who saved Hungary on several occasions. Barnabas Varga reduced the gap in vain on a cross from Dominik Szoboszlai (66th), before Breel Embolo completed the Swiss victory (90th + 3). The Magyars’ late reaction did not save a performance far from the standards of a selection which had dominated its qualifying group by remaining undefeated.
Under pressure after Switzerland’s lackluster results in the qualifiers, Murat Yakin made the right choices for this crucial first match. The coach placed his trust in men who were in good shape, like his Bolognese contingent. Remo Freuler, Dan Ndoye and Michel Aebischer (a goal and an assist) carried the Nati. They will certainly be renewed against Scotland on Wednesday June 19, while Hungary will face the German hosts.
