HUMILIATED Scotland are facing a mountain to climb on Wednesday night against a buoyant Swiss side who won in style.
Goals from Kwadwo Duah, Michel Aebischer and sub Breel Embolo put them level on points in Group A with Germany who routed the Scots 24-hours earlier.
8
EURO 2024 LIVE: LATEST UPDATES FROM THE TOURNAMENT
And the Swiss can kill off the fragile hopes of Steve Clarke’s men with another win in Cologne.
A Barnabas Varga second half effort gave Hungary a slim chance before Embolo’s clincher.
It was a belter of a game.
The Magyars came into this with a hugely confidence boosting run of just one defeat in 16 games.
Yet, in the first half especially, they were dire – bullied by a Swiss side who played with real control and a belief helped by the fact the Hungarians hadn’t beaten them in a competitive game for 43-years.
A blistering opening few minutes saw Hungary’s Attila Szalai scuff a close range attempt and then at the other end Aebischer was denied by Peter Gulacsi’s shoulder from eight yards before an offside flag was raised.
But Murat Yakin’s men soon took a grip of things.
Livewire wide-man Dan Ndoye produced a dazzling, mazy fifth minute run before attempting a pass into the box which was intercepted and cleared.
BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS
It was Switzerland’s first game back here since their heart-breaking 2006 World Cup last 16 penalties defeat to Ukraine.
Hungary briefly featured with a 10th minute counter attack which ended with a Roland Sallai shot over from 20-yards.
But Switzerland took a deserved 12th minute lead – a piercing Aebischer through ball picking out Duah to run in and clinically fire past Gulacsi.
Far side assistant Andraz Kovacic’s offside flag went up but TV replays clearly showed the striker was comfortably onside and a VAR check duly confirmed it to spark Duah ecstasy as he raced to the Swiss dugout.
Ropey Hungary should’ve been punished again in the 20th minute following a poor pass-back from Milos Kerkez – but Swiss attacker Ruben Vargas was denied superbly by Gulacsi.
Switzerland were dictating and dominating with Hungary skipper and best player Dominik Szoboszlai – becoming the Euros’ youngest ever captain at 23 years, seven months and 21 days – unable to influence.
It was just about the Hungarians trying to stay in the game.
Five minutes from the break, though, they suddenly had a wonderful chance – an unmarked Willi Orban somehow failing to head home from Szoboszlai’s free-kick just six yards out.
8
8
And, agonisingly for them, several minutes later the Swiss went two up – a stunning Aebischer curling right foot shot into the far corner from almost 25-yards.
Gulacsi denied Duah a second goal three minutes into the second half and then got down well to his left to hold a Vargas shot as the Hungarians looked vulnerable.
They desperately needed a goal to give Switzerland something to think about.
Only Varga will know how he contrived to head wide six yards out from a stunning Roland Sallai cross.
But within seconds he made amends with a terrific poacher’s finish – racing into the six yard box to stoop and head-flick home a 64th minute Szoboszlai delivery.
Suddenly it was game on and the rejuvenated Hungarians pushed strongly in the closing stages.
With tension rising Swiss boss Yakin was booked and then Gulacsi saved brilliantly from Granit Xhaka.
But Swiss sub Embolo pounced in the third minute of injury time to seal victory.
8
8
8
8