Aebischer stars as Embolo seals Swiss victory
Switzerland withstood a revitalised second half display from Hungary to kickstart its UEFA Euro 2024 campaign with a 3-1 win in Cologne.
Substitute Breel Embolo put the match to bed with a neat finish late on, after Barnabas Varga had dragged Hungary back into the match.
Michel Aebischer starred for the Swiss in a dominant first-half display, teeing up Kwadwo Duah's opener with a brilliant throughball, before he curled a fine effort into the bottom corner.
Duah's first international goal was originally disallowed for offside, but a VAR review saw it given.
But with little to lose, Hungary emerged from the tunnel with the bit between its teeth. Varga, who scored 20 goals for Ferencvarosi this season, squandered a golden opportunity to half the deficit as he headed wide Roland Sallai's teasing delivery.
Vargas atoned for his miss three minutes later, stooping low at the back post to guide Dominik Szoboszlai's cross beyond the grasp of Yann Sommer.
Hungary looked the most likely to grab the game's next goal, yet three minutes into stoppage-time, Embolo, who has endured an injury-hit season, pounced on a defensive error to loft home a finish and ensure Switzerland joined Germany on three points in Group A.
Aebischer's influential display saw him become the first Swiss player to have both scored and set up a goal in a single Euro championship match.
Switzerland continued its excellent record against Hungary and has now won seven of their past 10 meetings against them, drawing twice and losing once, last tasting defeat in November 1998.