Euro 2024: Italy Triumph Despite Albania's Record Goal; Switzerland Dominates Hungary in Euros Opener

Italy, the defending champion, began their Euro 2024 campaign with a narrow victory over Albania. Kwadwo Duah and Michel Aebischer scored their first international goals, contributing to Switzerland’s strong start in Euro 2024.

Defending champion Italy kicked off its Euro 2024 campaign with a hard-fought 2-1 victory against Albania at the BVB Stadion Dortmund on Sunday. The Group B clash was filled with exciting moments, setting the stage for an intriguing tournament ahead.

Fastest Goal in Euros History by Albania!

The Italy vs Albania match started with a bang as Albania’s Nedim Bajrami scored the fastest goal in European Championship history, netting just 23 seconds into the game. This remarkable feat shattered the previous record held by Russia’s Dmitri Kirichenko, who scored after 65 seconds against Greece on June 20, 2004. Bajrami took full advantage of a defensive mishap by Italy, lashing a powerful shot into the roof of the net, beating Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma at his near post.

Familiar Faces on Both Sides

Interestingly, Albania’s squad featured ten players who ply their trade in Italy’s top-flight league, Serie A, adding an extra layer of familiarity and competition to the encounter. This connection undoubtedly made the match even more intense as these players faced off against their domestic league counterparts.

Bastoni’s Breakthrough

Italy quickly responded to Albania’s early strike, with Alessandro Bastoni scoring the equalizer in the 11th minute. This goal marked a significant milestone for Bastoni, as it was his first international goal in a major tournament. His timely header from a corner brought Italy back into the game, stabilizing their nerves after the initial shock.

Barella Outshines Totti

Nicolo Barella then put Italy ahead with a well-taken goal, showcasing his knack for scoring in crucial moments. This goal was Barella’s tenth for Italy, surpassing the legendary Francesco Totti, who scored nine goals for the national team. Among the current squad, Barella has now emerged as Italy’s most prolific scorer in the Azzurri shirt, a testament to his growing influence and importance.

Italy Prevails Despite Albania’s Record; Switzerland Crushes Hungary in Euro 2024 Start

Swiss’s Strong Start in Group A Switzerland vs Hungary Match

Meanwhile, Switzerland made an impressive start to their Euro 2024 campaign with a 3-1 win over Hungary on Saturday in Cologne. Kwadwo Duah and Michel Aebischer both scored their first international goals, propelling their team to an early lead in Group A.

Murat Yakin’s side came out firing, racing to a two-goal lead by halftime. Duah, making only his second international appearance, opened the scoring with a clinical finish, assisted by Aebischer. The London-born 27-year-old, who plays for Bulgarian club Ludogorets Razgrad and holds dual citizenship with Ghana and Switzerland, justified his selection with a dynamic display.

Aebischer then doubled Switzerland’s lead with a stunning long-range strike just before the interval, underscoring his value to the team. Although Hungary’s Barnabas Varga scored his seventh goal in nine starts to set up a tense finale, Breel Embolo sealed the victory for Switzerland with a stoppage-time goal.

Internal Strife Settled

Switzerland’s win came after reports of a rift between coach Murat Yakin and his players over tactics. However, captain Granit Xhaka revealed that the air had been cleared during a recent team dinner featuring “plenty of wine.” This convivial gathering seemed to have mended any divides, with Xhaka delivering a standout performance to support his manager.

Hungary’s Struggles

Hungary, despite being touted as one of Europe’s emerging footballing powers, had a dismal first half that proved costly. Coach Marco Rossi had urged his team to embrace the pressure, but their performance fell short, indicating that comparisons to Hungary’s famed ‘Mighty Magyars’ of the 1954 World Cup were premature.

Switzerland’s Dominance

Switzerland needed just 12 minutes to dent Hungarian optimism. Aebischer slipped a perfectly weighted pass through Hungary’s defense, allowing Duah to slot home past Peter Gulacsi. Although Duah’s celebrations were initially halted by an offside flag, VAR corrected the decision, confirming the goal.

The Swiss continued to press, with Ruben Vargas coming close to doubling the lead after intercepting a wayward pass from Milos Kerkez. However, his shot was deflected by Gulacsi’s shoulder. Hungary had a brief opportunity to retaliate when Willi Orban’s close-range header was saved by Yann Sommer.

Just before halftime, Aebischer struck again, curling a superb shot from 25 yards into the far corner, putting Switzerland firmly in control. Hungary managed to pull one back in the 66th minute through Varga, who converted a diving header from Dominik Szoboszlai’s pinpoint cross. However, their hopes of a comeback were dashed when Embolo chipped in a late goal, securing the points for Switzerland.

Looking Ahead

Switzerland will face Scotland in their next Group A match on Wednesday, while Hungary will take on Germany. Italy, having secured an opening win, will look to build on their momentum in the challenging Group B, with future matches promising more excitement and drama.

Both matches have set the tone for what promises to be a thrilling Euro 2024, with unexpected twists and standout performances already making headlines.