Granit Xhaka, the captain of Switzerland, asserted on Friday that the miscommunication had been resolved in time for the Euros, despite rumors circulating that Yakin and his players were at odds over tactics.
With their 3-1 victory over Hungary on Saturday, Kwadwo Duah and Michel Aebischer scored their first goals for their country, giving Switzerland a strong start at Euro 2024.
In a great start to their Group A campaign, Murat Yakin’s team led two goals at the break in Cologne.
In just his second international match after making his debut earlier this month, Duah opened the score.
With dual citizenship from Ghana and Switzerland, the 27-year-old London-born player, who plays for the Bulgarian club Ludogorets Razgrad, will be relieved that he chose to represent them based on this impressive performance.
Just before halftime, Bologna midfielder Aebischer scored his first goal for Switzerland with a stunning long-range effort, having set up Duah’s opening goal.
A tense finish was created by Hungary’s seventh goal in nine starts from Barnabas Varga, but Breel Embolo’s goal in stoppage time sealed the victory.
A tense finish was created by Hungary’s seventh goal in nine starts from Barnabas Varga, but Breel Embolo’s goal in stoppage time sealed the victory.
The wounds were mended after a recent dinner with Yakin that included “plenty of wine,” and the midfielder for Bayer Leverkusen supported the manager with a standout performance.
Prior to falling to Spain in a shootout in the quarterfinals of Euro 2020, Switzerland defeated France on penalties in the round of 16.
After having a flawless start, they will look to duplicate that incredible run in a group that also includes hosts Germany, who defeated Scotland 5-1 in the tournament’s opening match on Friday.
Hungary plays Germany on Wednesday, while Switzerland plays their second match against Scotland.
Marco Rossi, the manager of Hungary, had advised his team to welcome the pressure of being considered one of the rising powers in Europe.
However, their miserable first half proved to be deadly, proving that it was a bit early to draw analogies with Hungary’s “Mighty Magyars,” who placed second in the 1954 World Cup.
In a mere twelve minutes, Switzerland brutally dashed Hungarian hopes.
Aebischer skillfully maneuvered a pass through the center of the Hungarian defense, enabling Duah to finish clinically low past Peter Gulacsi.
An incorrect offside flag at first stopped Duah’s celebrations, but VAR overturned the ruling as Switzerland’s players surrounded their unsung hero.
Moments later, Ruben Vargas ought to have sent the ferocious crimson sea of Switzerland supporters into euphoria once more.
Milos Kerkez’s errant ball was collected by Vargas on the outskirts of the box, but the winger’s shot cannoned off Gulacsi’s shoulder, leaving him hanging his head in frustration.
Willi Orban squandered a fantastic chance to stop the Swiss’s winning streak when he headed straight at Yann Sommer from close range.
At the last second of the half, Aebischer doubled Switzerland’s lead, making it a pivotal occasion.
Aebischer finished a flowing Swiss play with a fantastic strike into the far corner from 25 yards out, with Hungary sat too deep.
Shortly after missing a sitter, Varga offered Hungary a lifeline in the 66th minute.
Varga was found by Dominik Szoboszlai’s pinpoint cross, and from six yards out, his diving header whistled past Sommer.
In the closing seconds, Embolo came off the bench to chip a cool finish over Gulacsi, despite Hungary’s best efforts to equalize.