Switzerland survived a late scare as they edged out Hungary in a 3-1 win to start their Euro 2024 campaign with three points.
After an end-to-end start to the game, Switzerland took control and goals from Kwadwo Duah and Michel Aebischer gave the Swiss Nati a healthy lead to protect at halftime, after a dominant showing.
An attacking substitution at the break was a show of intent from Marco Rossi that his side would not go down without a fight, and they proved exactly that in the second half.
Despite a shaky start to the half, Hungary began to take control of the game and pile pressure on Switzerland, before eventually finding a goal in the 66th minute, as Barnabás Varga headed home from a Dominik Szoboszlai cross.
Few could accuse Hungary of shying away from the challenge but, as the clock ticked down, Rossi’s side were unable to find an equaliser, despite the relentless pressure that they were exerting on the Swiss Nati.
Delivering the final nail in the coffin, Breel Embolo scored after a Swiss counter-attack, with a superb chipped effort, confirming the win for Yakin’s men.
Despite their generally sub-par second-half display, it will go down as a crucial win for Switzerland, while Hungary now face an uphill battle to advance out of Group A.
Rossi made two changes from the side that beat Israel 3-0 in Hungary’s final Euro 2024 warm-up match last week, as Attila Fiola and András Schäfer replaced Bendegúz Bolla and Callum Styles.
Murat Yakin named three changes to the Swiss side who drew 1-1 with Austria last Saturday, with Fabian Schär replacing Nico Elvedi in defence, while Aebischer and Duah were favoured in attack.
This saw Burnley striker Zeki Amdouni, who scored six goals in ten appearances in Switzerland’s Euro 2024 qualifying campaign, surprisingly dropped to the bench, while the injured Steven Zuber was unable to play any role.
It was an end-to-end start to the game, as both sides looked to attack from the off but proved to be wasteful in possession at times.
Despite the open nature of the opening stages, both defences put up strong showings and were quick to regroup and backtrack with each change of possession.
Moments after a threatening Hungarian counter-attack, which was squandered, Switzerland found themselves teasing the edge of the Hungary penalty area, in a dangerous position.
The ball was played to Duah, who timed his run excellently off the shoulder of the last defender to get himself one-on-one with Péter Gulácsi.
The Ludogorets star, in his first competitive game for the Swiss Nati, made no mistake and slotted the ball into the back of the net to give his side the lead in the 12th minute, and secure his first international goal, after the video assistant referee (VAR) overruled the original offside decision.
The game followed a similar pattern following the goal, but it was Switzerland who were clearly on top and controlling proceedings.
Just eight minutes after their first, Switzerland could have, and potentially should have, found a second.
Ruben Vargas intercepted a misplaced pass from Miloš Kerkez near the edge of the penalty area, but the FC Augsburg man was unable to beat Gulásci one-on-one, as he saw his effort saved.
In the 40th minute, Willy Orban was gifted a free header from a free kick, but the RB Leipzig defender failed to get enough power behind his effort, presenting an easy save for Yann Sommer.
Yakin’s side were looking to make their dominance tell, and a curling effort from Michel Aebischer beat Gulásci, creeping in at the far post to double Switzerland’s advantage in the 45th minute.
This gave Switzerland a comfortable lead at halftime, as Hungary resembled a side devoid of ideas and flair, which needed to change very quickly if they were to rescue a result.
Second half
Rossi responded to his side’s poor showing, and the perilous situation that they found themselves in, as he replaced Ádám Lang with Bolla at the break – an attacking change which signalled that Hungary had not accepted defeat.
Switzerland started the second half on the front foot, but Hungary were quick to settle down, as they enjoyed a number of attacks, though they ultimately posed little danger to the Swiss defence.
As the half progressed, Hungary began to enjoy more and more of the ball, and began to put Switzerland under real pressure for prolonged periods.
In the 63rd minute, Rolland Sallai delivered an inch-perfect cross to where Varga was waiting, but the 29-year-old failed to steer his header on target.
Just three minutes later, however, a similar chance arose, as Szoboszlai delivered a cross to the far post, and on this occasion, Varga made no mistake – as he halved the deficit with a header past Sommer.
If there was any doubt before, momentum was undoubtedly with Hungary at this point, as they desperately searched for an equaliser late in the game.
With the minutes ticking down, Hungary enjoyed control and were asking continuous questions of the Swiss defence, but to no avail as Yakin’s side held on.
In the final minutes of the game, it was Switzerland who reassumed control of the game, easing fears that Hungary could steal a point from the game.
Rather than drop points, Switzerland put the result beyond any doubt in added time as Embolo, after spending almost an entire year sidelined with injury, chipped Gulásci to put the result beyond doubt.
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Player of the match – Michel Aebischer
Aebischer contributed a goal and an assist in his side’s win, playing a crucial role in the outcome of the game.
Aside from his goal involvements, however, Aebischer was simply unplayable at times, which was evident by his chance creation throughout the game, as well as offering defensive solidity when it was required.