Euro 2024 day 2! Swiss as expected, Croatia struggles and Italy’s routine win.

Hungary vs Switzerland: Swiss secured their first win.

Switzerland secured a 3-1 victory over Hungary in their EURO 2024 group-stage match in Cologne. Kwadwo Duah opened the scoring for Switzerland in the 12th minute, followed by Michel Aebischer’s goal just before halftime. Hungary responded in the 66th minute with a goal from Barnabas Varga, assisted by Dominik Szoboszlai. Despite Hungary’s pressure, Switzerland sealed their win with a late goal from Breel Embolo in added time.

The match began with Switzerland quickly establishing dominance, with Duah’s low shot past Hungary’s goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi. Aebischer doubled the lead with a curling effort from the edge of the box, leaving Hungary with a daunting task in the second half. Hungary’s hopes were briefly revived when Varga converted a cross from Szoboszlai with a diving header, igniting celebrations among Hungarian fans.

Switzerland, however, managed to maintain their composure and fend off Hungary’s subsequent attacks. Embolo, returning from an injury-hit season, ensured victory with a well-executed lob over the goalkeeper in injury time, capitalizing on a defensive error.

This result places Switzerland alongside Germany at the top of Group A, with both teams having won their opening matches. Hungary, experiencing its first competitive loss since September 2022, now faces a challenging path ahead to progress in the tournament.

Switzerland’s performance highlighted their efficiency and tactical discipline, setting a strong foundation for their EURO 2024 campaign. Hungary will need to regroup and address their defensive vulnerabilities to keep their tournament hopes alive in their upcoming matches.

The victory demonstrates Switzerland’s potential to be a strong contender in the competition, with their next match anticipated to be a crucial test of their capabilities.

Spain vs Croatia: Spain ran over Croatia

Spain started their EURO 2024 campaign with a convincing 3-0 victory over Croatia in Hamburg. Álvaro Morata opened the scoring in the 29th minute, finishing a precise pass from Fabián Ruiz. Just three minutes later, Ruiz doubled the lead with a well-placed shot after skillfully maneuvering through the defense. Spain’s dominance continued as Dani Carvajal added a third goal in stoppage time of the first half, capitalizing on a cross from 16-year-old Lamine Yamal, who made history as the youngest player to feature in a EURO match.

Croatia attempted to mount a comeback, with Luka Modrić and Joško Gvardiol coming close to scoring, but Spain’s defense held firm. Unai Simón saved a late penalty from Bruno Petković, ensuring a clean sheet for Spain. The Spanish team showcased effective ball control, quick transitions, and solid defense, setting a strong foundation for their tournament.

Spain’s coach, Luis de la Fuente, expressed satisfaction with the team’s performance, emphasizing their ambition and hard work. Fabián Ruiz, named Player of the Match, highlighted the importance of teamwork in achieving their goals. Meanwhile, Croatia’s coach, Zlatko Dalić, acknowledged the need for improvements, particularly in energy and aggression, as they prepare for their next match against Albania.

This victory places Spain in a strong position in Group B, and their performance has established them as strong contenders for the EURO 2024 title. Croatia will need to regroup and focus on their upcoming games to keep their tournament hopes alive. Spain will next face Italy, while Croatia will aim for a decisive win against Albania.

Italy vs Albania: Almost a surprise!

Italy kicked off their EURO 2024 campaign with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Albania in Dortmund. Albania stunned Italy with an early goal by Nedim Bajrami just 23 seconds into the match, setting a record for the fastest goal in EURO finals history. Italy quickly regrouped, and Alessandro Bastoni equalized in the 11th minute with a powerful header from a corner. Just five minutes later, Nicolò Barella put Italy ahead with a stunning strike from outside the box.

Italy continued to dominate possession and create chances, but Albanian goalkeeper Thomas Strakosha made several crucial saves to keep his team in the game. Italy’s Gianluca Scamacca and Nicolò Fagioli both came close to extending the lead, with Fagioli’s effort hitting the post. Albania nearly snatched a late equalizer when substitute Rey Manaj’s shot narrowly missed the target in the dying moments of the match.

Despite the early setback, Italy’s resilience and attacking prowess ensured their victory. Federico Chiesa was named Player of the Match for his dynamic performance, constantly threatening the Albanian defense with his speed and dribbling. Coach Luciano Spalletti praised his team’s ability to recover and emphasized the importance of maintaining their style of play.

For Albania, the early goal provided a promising start, but they struggled to maintain their momentum against Italy’s superior ball control and tactical discipline. Coach Sylvinho acknowledged the need for a more complete performance in future matches.

This win places Italy in a strong position in Group B, setting a positive tone for their title defense. Albania, while disappointed, showed potential and will look to bounce back in their next match against Croatia. Italy will face Spain in their next group stage encounter, aiming to build on their solid start.