Hungary 1-3 Switzerland - Euro 2024 RECAP: Breel Embolo seals the win for Swiss to hold off comeback by Magyars

Hope you enjoyed staying with us for our coverage of the Hungary-Switzerland match, which ended up being an exciting one. One game down, two to go on this first Saturday of the championships.

Make sure you're checking out our coverage for the mouthwatering clash between Spain and Croatia and then later on when defending champions Italy take on Albania.

Little surprise here. I'll spare you any more glowing assessments of the 31-year-old's display in Cologne.

Granit Xhaka's incredible performance in numbers. The former Arsenal star produced an all round midfield performance that was needed to get past the Hungarians.

Hungary will be kicking themselves that they didn't show the kind of passion and energy from the second half before the break. They simply left themselves with too much to do.

Marco Rossi will have to go back to the drawing board ahead of their second game against hosts Germany. As for Switzerland, they've managed to get away with falling asleep for 20 minutes.

But the show they've got a squad fit with plently of weapons that could see them do really well in this tournament.

Their main man seals it for Switzerland. Embolo has been plagued with injuries all season, came on and we wondered if his body could hold up. He's done that and more.

Embolo latched onto a poor header from the Hungary defence and expertly lifted the ball over the on rushing Gulacsi.

The Hungary keeper has kept them in this game. Gulacsi makes a stunning reflex save after a corner kick flicks off the head of a defender.

Fiola gets his name in the book for stopping a counter attack. And so does the Switzerland boss Murat Yakin. Not for stopping a counter obviously, presumably for shouting abuse at an official.

Hungary are knocking on the door

The subs have made a brilliant impact in the latter stages of the game but Switzerland continue to carry a threat.

Blockbuster finish headed our way

I would be shocked if this game finished 2-1. Hungary are pushing for an equaliser and Switzerland look content to try and pick them off on the break.

That goal has just woken up the Swiss. Ndoye forced a corner when his shot was deflected before Schar went close with a header from the resulting set piece.

Switzerland have turned to one of their star man, Brrel Embolo. The question is whether his body can hold up after only just coming back after a torrid time with injuries.

Aadam Patel, Mail Sport at the Cologne Stadium:

Game on. Hungary are alive. Barnabas Varga misses a sitter but fair play to him because he simply wants this more than Ricardo Rodriguez. It's a lovely delivery by Dominik Szoboszlai and Varga gets in front. All set for a cracking last 25 minutes or so

Yes he can! No sooner had he spurned one chance was he there again to nod in a reply. Hungary have grown into the game and have finally been rewarded.

A great cross from Szoboszlai couldn't be missed. Game on!

Varga has to score. Szoboszlai into Sallai and then right onto the head of the striker Varga but he nodded it wide.

What a chance for Rossi's side. They needed that goal. Can they fashion another chance to get back into this one?

Some positive signs for Hungary, even if it's minor. Rossi's side have imporved after the interval but they're still missing something.

Szoboszlai isn't looking at his physical best but his delivery from a set piece continues to be impressive. Maybe a goal would change things.

It's more superb work from Switzerland and Granit Xhaka. The Bayer Leverkusen man ghosted into the corner of the area and played a ball back to Vargas, who was able to get a shot away.

Unfortunately for him, Gulacsi was equal to it and kept his side in this game, just.

Swiss resume where they left off

Hungary still can't handle them despite moving a couple of bits around at the break. Wing-back Ndoye has terrorised his opposite number, while Duah just had a shot which forced a save from Gulacsi.

Switzerland kick things off in the second half.

Half-time from Marco Rossi as he brings on Bolla for Lang in the right wing back poition.

Aadam Patel, Mail Sport at the Cologne Stadium:

I have to say Granit Xhaka is running this game. Hungary have been very poor but everything for Switzerland is coming through the former Arsenal man.

Aadam Patel, Mail Sport at the Cologne Stadium:

This is no less than Switzerland deserve and what a finish that is from Michel Aebischer. He's given way too much time but he tucks that away wonderfully. It's a Swiss party in the Cologne sunshine

Well, I wasn't expecting that. Are Hungary doomed to endure the same fate as Euro 2020 dark horses Turkey - thy were a shambles and went out in the group stages.

Switzerland have good players and were expected to do well but they have been brilliant in that first half. So much control, so much creativity and the end product to match.

Marco Rossi has lots to figure out at the break. They just look overmatched.

Wow! The Bologna wing back gives this team the second goal their play has deserved in this half.

The 27-year-old looked for a pass but when none presented itself he expertly curled an effort into the bottom left corner of the goal. Another superb goal for the Swiss.

The veteran defender had a golden chance to draw his country level an inch-perfect delivery from Szoboszlai. The RB Leipzig star could only come up with a tame header than fell into the arms of Sommer when he really should have scored.

Whether it would have counted if another matter. Just seeing the ball in the back of the net would have done this team some good.

Swiss smell blood

Yakin's team are looking for a second to make the scoreline reflect their dominance of the first 40 minutes. Vargas produced some great wing play down the left flank but Hangary managed to scramble the ball away.

This is an accomplished team

I don't want to speak too soon, given there's just less than an hour left in this game but Switzerland look like serious business. I thought they'd be decent but not as organised and fluid as this.

Sorry, but Scotland have no hope beating this Switzerland team.

There were 22 passes in the build-up to Switzerland's opener. Not bad from a side who are respected but definitely no feared.

Xhaka is running things out there

He's looking like a man who was crucial in a club team that lost one game all season. Xhaka has been brilliant to start this game this afternoon. He's stringing passes together, barking commands at his team-mates but still managing to keep his cool.

Hungary need to stop him to get under Switzerland's skin.

Would have been 2-0 Switzerland but for the intervention of Hungary stopper Peter Gulacsi. The former Liverpool star denied Vargas, who was the beneficiary of an awful back pass from Kerkez.

Hungary really need to hang on here. Switzerland are in complete control.

Just what Switzerland wanted

The Swiss will be content to sit back and allow their opponents to come to them now that they have the lead. Hungary haven't yet managed to apply any sustained pressure.

And they'll be gutted by the manner of the goal.

The man whose selection shocked everyone opens the scoring after timing his run behind Orban perfectly and slotting it past the keeper.

The official initially raised his flag, putting an instant pause on his celebrations. But VAR quickly put that right. A great goal for the Swiss.

A watchable start

Don't get me wrong, it hasn't been thrilling just yet but there are one or two indications that the game could open up. Switzerland had the chance in the first few minutes.

Hungary fired a shot in anger only moments ago after Fiola ran through on goal.

The most shocking thing for me is the discovery that he's only 31 years old.

Hungary's controversial president Viktor Orban - a noted football fan - wasn't going to miss this one.He has been spotted in the crowd at the Cologne Stadium.

Early yellow for Widmer

The wing back lunged into a tackle on Kerkez and now finds himself in the book with 85 minutes to play.

Good start from the Swiss

Switzerland forced an early chance after some good work from sriker Duah, who is in for Embolo. The ball eventually fell to a Swiss player in the centre but his shot was blocked by the Hungarian defence.

It wouldn't have counted anyway as the flag soon went up but it was a passage of play that will give the side some encouragement.

Hungary get the action underway. Let's hope it's a good one.

That was quite some rendition of the Hungarian national anthem. You could be forgiven for thinking this game is being played in the nation. Action is getting underway in a matter of minutes.

Szoboszlai and Xhaka lead their sides out onto the pitch. We're only a few minutes away from kick-off!

Willi Orban via The Athletic:

If you look at our team, we’re not filled with top footballers from the best leagues. It’s crucial to have unity, and that’s how we perform on the pitch. We simply try to make it as difficult as possible for our opponents by adopting a compact, tactical approach.

It has to be said that we’ve developed well in recent years, but we’re still a team characterised by an excellent team spirit — and that’s our actual star.

You wouldn't have thought Murat Yakin faced pressure from the reception he received from the Swiss fans ahead of kick off.

Switzerland sneaked into Euro 2024 second in their group after a campaign in which they beat only Andorra in their last eight matches and squandered leads late to opponents including Israel and Kosovo.

But they're here now and it looks like the fans intend to get behind the team and their boss.

If you know, you know. But in all fairness to Yann Sommer, he has not been a major-tournament merchant this year. The Switzerland keepers always seem to reserve his best for the international tournaments.

But last year he helped Inter Milan romp to the Serie A title, replacing Andre Onana, who had a pretty average season at Old Trafford - and that's best extremely generous.

Anyways, he're Sommer three years saving the day for Switzerland.

The Cologne Stadium plays host to this afternoon's fixture. A pretty cosy 43,000-seater stadium in west Germany. It is the home of Koln, who suffered relegation to the second division last season.

Euro 2024 matches

15/06: Hungary vs Switzerland

19/06: Scotland vs Switzerland

22/06: Belgium vs Romania

25/06: England vs Slovenia

30/06: Round of 16 – 1B vs 3A/D/E/F

The former Arsenal star spoke on Friday ahead of Switzerland's opener on his manager Murat Yakin, who came under pressure after their subpar qualification campaign.

Granit Xhaka, Switzerland:

We are adults enough to clarify everything. So I've had a great relationship with the coach in the last six, eight months. It has been better than the past.

He came to see me many times ... We had dinner together. We've drank a lot of wine together. So everything is going fine. We are both ambitious and we want to be successful for ourselves and for the team.

Both sets of players are out onto the pitch for their warm-ips ahead of kick-off in 30 minutes.

Left wing back Milos Kerkez is set to become the youngster player to represent Hungary at the Euros in more than 50 years. Rossi's side is a blend of veterans like Orban, Gulacsi and Fiola.

While, Kerkez and Szoboszlai provide some youthful energy.

We're only 40 minutes away from kick off and you can see it in the atmosphere at the ground.

In the interest of fairness, here are the Switzerland players as they arrived at the Cologne Stadium this afternoon. Similar vibe from the players here. Looks like everyone is absolutely aware how pivotal this match could be.

The 43,000-seater stadium will also play host to England's final group game against Solvenia. This was the view from the Switzerland team bus as they arrived. Goosebumps.

He might not have got the nod from the start this afternoon but you have to make yourself aware of Callum Styles.

Szoboszlai, Csoboth, Szappanos, Bendeguz Bolla, Botond Balogh. The Hungarian national team’s names would, for some, form a gruelling playground tongue twister.

Yet there’s one name that will stick out if you watch them in the Euros this summer: Callum Styles.

How could this 24-year-old lad, born in Bury and on the books at Barnsley, be playing for a country over 1,000 miles from his birthplace? And what is his role?

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We have some footage of the Hungary players departing the team boss earlier ahead of the game.

Xhaka, Akanji, Sommer but no Shaqiri or Embolo from the start this afternoon. Burnley's Amdouni also finds himself on the bench against Hungary.

RB Leipzig stars Peter Gulacsi and Willi Orban will be vital in goal and at the back. Szoboszlai becomes the youngster skipper in Euros history and there's no place in the starting XI for Callum Styles.

A lot will be said about the Liverpool midfielder and for good measure. He may have ended the domestic campaign rather gingerly but that should not make people forget how electric he was at the start of the campaign.

Nor how incredible he is for his national team all the time. At only 23 years old, Szoboszlai has been the skipper of Hungary for a couple of years now.

They were without him due to injury at the last Euros - after his goals got them to the tournament - and Hungary almost managed to make it out of group that contained Germany, Portugal and France.

Marco Rossi via UEFA:

Dominik’s future was written in the stars. People have had an eye on him since he was 15, becoming a potential national team player. I think what especially sets him apart is his great self-belief and confidence.

It's self-esteem and confidence, not arrogance. It's something that comes from the perception he has of his own talent, and especially from the awareness of the work he puts into it

• Switzerland have won six of their last nine matches against Hungary
• Hungary have won only one of their last nine matches at the European Championship across their last three tournament appearances
• Szoboszlai recorded four goals and three assists in eight qualification games
• Switzerland have made the knockout stages in each of their last three Euros campaigns
• Seven of the Swiss' last 11 international matches have ended in a draw

Both teams will ultimately want to win this game and get off to a perfect start but they will now be aware of what a draw could mean for their qualification chances.

Hungary play Germany in their next game, meaning defeat here could leave them clinging on for dear life in their final game against the Scots.

Marco Rossi's team come into that game in stunning form - in competitive matches. They progressed through their qualification group without tasting defeat and entre the tournament as many people's dark horses.

Swiss fans can be a vocal bunch apparently. Supporters are gathering ahead of the 2pm kick-off in Cologne. This will be only the second meeting of the countries at major tournaments.

The first came at the 1936 World Cup!

After making a major impact at Euro 2020, Switzerland will be determined to go even further on this occasion.

In the last edition of the competition, Switzerland showed excellent spirit as they overcame France and made it through to the quarter-finals, where they were beaten on penalties by Spain.

Being placed in the same group as hosts Germany won't make matters easy for Switzerland this time around, but they will be hopeful that they can finish above Scotland and Hungary.

Manager: Murat Yakin

Star Man: Granit Xhaka

Tournament history: Quarter-finals (2020)

Hungary come into Euro 2024 as the darkest of horses.

This is their best shot at a deep tournament run in decades, with a beloved coach, a well-drilled unit, and sprinkles of stardust.

The Magyarok are on a 14-game unbeaten streak stretching back to September 2022. Their last tournament, the 2022-23 Nations League, saw them beat England twice - including a 4-0 trouncing at Molineux - defeat Germany once, and finish second in a group also containing reigning European champions Italy.

Manager: Marco Rossi

Star Man: Dominik Szoboszlai

Tournament history: Third place (1964)

Good afternoon and welcome to the first of three live blogs we have for today's slate of Euro 2024 games. This, for me at least, is when a major tournament comes alive.

We kick things off with the intriguing clash between Hungary and Switzerland at the Cologne Stadium. Off the back of Germany's hammering of Scotland on opening night, both these teams will be desperate not to lose.

A draw here and wins against Scotland would probably see both these sides progress to the latter stages. But enough of that forward planning for now. Today, we've got a host of players that will be familiar to Premier League fans and teams that will fancy their chances of going deep.

Ahead of kick-off, we'll have updates, quotes from the bosses and plenty of images of the atmosphere down in Germany. Make sure you stay with us when the action gets underway at 2pm, as we'll be taking you through all the events of what we hope will be a thrilling game!