In a thrilling start to their UEFA European Championship campaign, Switzerland emerged victorious with a 3-1 win over Hungary in Cologne, Germany.
Switzerland, renowned for their experience in major tournaments, seized control early on. Michel Aebischer orchestrated the breakthrough with a clever through ball that found Kwadwo Duah, who calmly finished past Péter Gulácsi for his first international goal. Despite several missed opportunities, Switzerland continued to dominate, doubling their lead just before halftime through Aebischer's spectacular strike.
After the break, Hungary fought back valiantly. Barnabás Varga narrowed the deficit with a header, capitalizing on Dominik Szoboszlai's precise delivery to inject hope into Hungary's efforts. As the pressure mounted, Switzerland's defense held firm, with goalkeeper Yann Sommer making crucial saves to maintain their advantage.
In a decisive moment, Breel Embolo capitalized on a defensive lapse in stoppage time, delicately lobbing the ball over Gulácsi to secure Switzerland's victory and complete the scoring.
The standout performer of the match was Granit Xhaka, who orchestrated Switzerland's midfield with authority and vision. His precise distribution and tactical awareness were instrumental in controlling the tempo of the game and nullifying Hungary's attacking threats. Xhaka's leadership on the pitch earned him the Man of the Match accolade, cementing his pivotal role in Switzerland's triumph.
With this result, Switzerland takes a significant step towards advancing to the knockout stages, showcasing their resilience and quality on the European stage. As the tournament progresses, Switzerland will look to build on this strong start, while Hungary will aim to bounce back in their next fixture to keep their own Euro 2024 hopes alive.