Kickoff chronicles

Hungary vs Switzerland

The first game played on the second day of the 2024 Euros in Germany was staged in Cologne with Hungary taking on Switzerland. The Swiss took an early lead inside 12 minutes when Michel Aebischer found Kwadwo Duah deep inside the penalty area. The striker ran onto it and buried the ball first time. Originally, it was ruled offside but after a quick VAR check, the goal was awarded. Switzerland then doubled their advantage just before half time when Aebishcer turned playmaker into scorer. The midfielder received the ball just outside the 18 yard area where he took a touch, setting himself up. He then took it out even further before striking the ball beautifully, watching it curl into the bottom right corner. The half finished 0-2 with Hungary leaving themselves with a tough task left ahead of them going into the second period.

Marco Rossi’s Hungarian team made a positive start to the second half, dominating the possession and creating chances. They eventually converted a chance 20 minutes into the second half when Dominik Szoboszlai’s cross from the left wing was headed in by striker Barnabas Varga. With just 2 and a half minutes left to play, Swiss keeper Yann Sommer had the ball in his grasp. Most keepers would try and waste as much time as possible but Sommer decided to do the complete opposite. He saw the run of Breel Embolo across the pitch and fired the ball over into the Hungary half. Embolo forced an error off the Hungary defenders, leaving him one-on-one with goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi. The ball was bouncing and the striker decided to audaciously lob Gulacsi. It paid off as he ran away in celebration having watched it bobble over the line. The tie finished 1-3 with Switzerland kicking their 2024 Euro campaign off with 3 points. It ends in disappointment for Hungary as they lose a chance to pick up some potentially huge points.

 
Spain vs Croatia

The 2nd game played on day two of the 2024 Euros was all set in Berlin with Spain taking on Croatia. La Roja finally found the opener inside half an hour when PSG man, Fabian Ruiz, played a defence splitting pass to captain Alvaro Morata. Morata held off the challenges from the Croatian centre backs as he progressed into the penalty area before passing it into the bottom corner. The Atletico Madrid striker now becomes the equal 3rd highest scorer in Euro finals history. Just 3 minutes after creating Spain’s 1st, Ruiz then scored their 2nd. It was a wonderful goal, his tricky footwork too much for Croatia. He received the ball outside the penalty area, dropped his shoulders twice before thrashing the ball into the bottom right corner. Spain then turned to their youngest player on the pitch to create their 3rd. Just before the interval, Lamine Yamal received the ball on the right wing. He played a perfect cross into the 6 yard box, watching as veteran Real Madrid right back, Dani Carvajal, slid in to tap home their latest goal. 16 year old Yamal now becomes the youngest player to start a Euro finals game and the youngest to register an assist, his future brighter than ever.The half ended 3-0 with Spain forming a title statement of their own.

Croatia found themselves a lifeline in the 77th minute after Lovro Majer punished Unai Simon in the Spanish goal and dispossessed him. Majer then squared it to Bruno Petkovic who had an open goal to aim for. Man. City midfielder Rodri then kicked the back of Petkovic’s legs, taking him out and leaving the referee no choice but to award a penalty. Petkovic’s initial effort was saved but it fell to Ivan Perisic who played it back to him. Petkovic was then left with the easy task to tap the ball into an uncontested net. Unfortunately for Croatia, the goal was disallowed for encroachment as before the ball was kicked, Perisic was inside the 18 yard area. Spain defended well and held out for a solid 3-0 win to start their Euro campaign taking them to 1st in the group.

Italy vs Albania

The stage was set in Dortmund for the last game of Sunday afternoon and round 1 in Group B with holders Italy taking on 2nd time qualifiers Albania. The Kuqezinjtë got off to an explosive start when they broke the European finals record for the quickest goal scored. Federico Dimarco attempted to throw the ball back to one of his teammates inside the 18 yard box but Nedim Bajrami was quick to pounce on it. Bajrami took a touch to his right and lashed the ball into the roof of the net, leaving Gianluigi Donnarumma with no chance at all. This was a wake up call for the Azzurri and they found themselves an equaliser 10 minutes later. Lorenzo Pellegrini’s cross into the back post was headed in brilliantly by Inter centre back Alessandro Bastoni. The holders completed the turnaround before the quarter hour mark when Nico Barella scored to make it 2-1. Gianluca Scamacca’s effort was deflected and it fell to Dimarco who was onside. Dimarco poked it back to Barella outside the penalty area who smashed it on the bounce, watching it soar into the back of the net. The half finished 2-1 with Italy left disappointed in the end that they had not been able to double their advantage. Albania’s defending was strong in the last 30 minutes, halting Italy from potentially running away with the tie.

Italy dominated most of the second period but Albania found themselves with the bulk of the possession leading into the final minutes, hoping they could punish Italy for not finishing them off. It looked like they were destined to equalise in the 89th minute when Kristjan Asllani played a perfect ball over the top of Italy’s defence to Rey Manaj who was through on goal. He took it to his right and attempted to chip the ball over Donnarumma and find the far corner. He would have been successful if not for the heroic save from the Italian shot stopper, as he rushed out so quickly to halt Manaj. The ball clipped his shoulder and deflected away from the goal, all but confirming the fixture. Albania continued to create chances but couldn’t get past the strong Italian defence, the game finishing 2-1. It was a shaky start from the holders, but leaves them in 2nd spot in the group with 3 points to their name. Albania sit 3rd but will feel positive about the fight and spirit they showed against the Azzurri.

Written by Ollie Wade