Switzerland began their UEFA Euro 2024 campaign with a stunning 3-1 victory over Hungary in Group A. Kwadwo Duah put the Nati in front after 12 minutes before Michel Aebischer doubled their advantage with a lovely curling effort from range.
Hungary visibly improved after the break, as they looked more threatened and competed for the ball with more aggression. Just after the hour mark, their efforts paid off as Barnabas Varga pulled one back by heading home from close range. The Magyars continued to push for an equaliser but a horrendous mistake at the back from Willy Orban in the dying stages allowed Breel Embolo to score a third goal for Switzerland.
Murat Yakin’s side next played Scotland, winning which would seal their passage into the round of 16, whereas Hungary took on tournament hosts Germany on matchday two.
Hungary National Football Team Player Ratings vs Switzerland
Goalkeeper
Peter Gulacsi – 5/10: The Swiss were too good for Hungary’s defense, including Gulacsi, who did make a few vital saves in the match, including the block on Vargas just minutes after La Nati opened the scoring.
Defenders
Adam Lang – 5/10: His positioning was off and offered little resistance to Switzerland’s barnstorming run in the first half; hooked off at the break.
Willi Orban – 4/10: Really poor, and to make things worse, a horrible-headed clearance allowed Embolo to make it 3-1 for Switzerland.
Attila Szalai – 5/10: He was hardly any better than his defensive cohorts on a day when the Swiss had their numbers.
Midfielders
Attila Fiola – 6/10: He started well by getting forward a few times but fizzled out as the match wore on.
Adam Nagy – 6.5/10: The Spezia midfielder attempted to send his side forward with a few amazing long balls, and helped out defensively whenever needed.
Andras Schafer – 6.5/10: With three clearances and over 90% passing range, Schafer had a good game.
Milos Kerkez – 6.5/10: He won the ball a few times and crossed six times but to no avail.
Forwards
Roland Sallai – 7/10: His passing was on point but could not be a direct threat for Switzerland.
Dominik Szoboszlai – 7.5/10: He bagged the assist for Varga’s goal and laid a couple of key passes too, demonstrating his creative skills.
Barnabas Varga – 8/10: He sneakily got in behind Aebischer before overcoming his tackle to head one home and make it 2-1 for Hungary.
Substitutions
Laszlo Kleinheisler – 6/10: Just made a few decent passes.
Martin Adam – 6/10: He was thrown in when Hungary were looking promising in attack but Adam was a no-show.
Marton Dardai – 7/10: He came along with Adam as part of a double-substitution and settled well in defense to prevent the Swiss from bagging a late goal, and he produced an excellent goal-line clearance late on.
Manager: Marco Rossi (Hungary) – 6/10
Also Read: Germany vs Scotland Player Ratings: Kai Havertz and Florian Wirtz Shine, Porteous Disappoints
Switzerland National Football Team Player Ratings vs Hungary
Goalkeeper
Yann Sommer – 7/10: The Swiss custodian only faced a genuine challenge after the break and he fared well, besides Varga’s goal though.
Defenders
Fabian Schar – 7/10: Held the fort well and came close to scoring at the other end in the second half too.
Manuel Akanji – 6.5/10: He made three clearances and completed 90% of his passes, but was overshadowed by his teammates on either side of the defense today.
Ricardo Rodriguez – 7.5/10: Resolute defending from Rodriguez, who patrolled his side of the pitch with aplomb and produced two vital back-to-back headed clearances late on when Hungary were on the offensive.
Midfielders
Silvan Widmer – 6/10: A rather subdued showing from the man who is capable of so much more
Remo Freuler – 7.5/10: The Bologna man set up his club teammate Aebischer for their second goal, bagging an assist on the opening day
Granit Xhaka – 9/10: No goals or assists, but Xhaka was the MVP for Switzerland, running the game for them with his incisive passes, exceptional leadership, and bullying physicality.
Michel Aebischer – 9/10: A creative inspiration for the Swiss, he was also the architect of their first goal, cutting Hungary open with an incisive through ball for Duah to latch on to, before netting a terrific goal himself from outside the box for 2-0
Forwards
Dan Ndoye – 7.5/10: Buzzing around the Hungarian area like a fly around the flowers, Ndoye was menacing with his attacking ingenuity and slick passing
Ruben Vargas – 6.5/10: He struggled to do anything meaningful and saw both his shots saved
Kwadwo Duah – 8.5/10: Making only his second appearance for La Nati, Duah took his chance well and put his side in front after only 12 minutes into the kickoff with a clinical finish through Gulacsi’s legs
Substitutions
Zeki Amdouni – 5/10: He came on for the irresistible Duah but failed to match his energy
Leonidas Stergiou – 6/10: Not the impact that Murat Yakin was looking for from him
Breel Embolo – 6.5/10: The AS Monaco star ruffled a few Hungarian feathers with his devastating link-up play and forward movements, before topping it off with a goal late on
Vincent Sierro – N/A: The midfielder came on to merely see the game off
Fabian Rieder – N/A: He didn’t have enough time to make an impact
Manager: Murat Yakin (Switzerland) – 8.5/10
Also Read: Belgium vs Slovakia: Preview, Prediction, Lineups and Team News | Euro 2024