Doldisen Kwadwo Duah, 27, got the chance from the start in Switzerland’s EC premiere against Hungary instead of a player like Xherdan Shaqiri.
Starting with the Ludogorets striker, who made his national team debut only eleven days ago, turned out to be a wise decision. Because it was he who scored the first goal in the 3-1 triumph.
After about 13 minutes of play, Duah ran through Hungary’s defense to make it 1-0. The goal was initially ruled out for offside, but the verdict was changed after VAR review.
– It’s his second international game and the scouts will definitely be watching, said TV4’s expert commentator Henok Goitom, who praised the goalscorer’s arc running, in the broadcast.
The goal was the 27-year-old’s first in the national team and it was of course in his EC debut.
After just over 20 minutes, Ruben Vargas had a great chance to extend the goal, but that time Peter Gulasci saved.
Shortly before the break, Hungary messed up in their own penalty area, whereupon Switzerland broke. The ball finally ended up with Michel Aebischer who was outside the box. From there he drilled in 2-0.
Took revenge on himself
In the second act, Hungary played themselves up. Among other things, Barnabás Varga nodded a cross from close range after just over 63 minutes of play.
Varga took revenge on himself after the miss. About a minute later, he stayed in front of a cross and headed in the reduction goal.
– You must miss once, but not twice when you are a goalscorer like him, said Goitom.
Hungary pushed for an equaliser, but Switzerland managed to hold off and actually win 3-1. Breel Embolo put the nail in the coffin in added time.
– I am proud that we won the match. We had a good first half. Slightly more difficult second half. But I think we deserved three points, says the Swiss Granit Xhaka in an interview and continues:
– It’s always good to start like this, with this confidence. I am more than happy that we take the first three points against a good opponent. But we’re not done yet.
Both teams play next on Wednesday. Then Switzerland collides with Scotland while Hungary is pitted against host nation Germany.