Switzerland took on Wales in the early Euro 2020 kick off on Saturday. These two competent European sides locked horns in the second game of the tournament and Group A, with both teams eyeing all three points in order to keep pace with leaders Italy after the Azzurri's 3-0 opening day victory over Turkey.
The first 45 minutes proved to be a cagey affair, with Haris Seferovic cutting a frustrating figure after having four shots on goal in the first half -- none of those attempts hit the target, sadly. However, it didn't take to long for the deadlock to be broken, with the Schweizer Nati taking the lead four minutes after play resumed.
Breel Embolo gave Switzerland the advantage, fighting his way through a corner kick to head Xherdan Shaqiri's cross past the opposition goalkeeper. It was a much-deserved goal from the Borussia M'gladbach forward as he had been one of the more captivating players on the pitch.
Embolo nods Switzerland ahead #EURO2020 pic.twitter.com/hJqpaPmWAt
— UEFA EURO 2020 (@EURO2020) June 12, 2021
Unfortunately for Vladimir Petković's side, this lead did not last long. Kieffer Moore equalized for the Dragons just under half-an-hour late, with Wales' goal also coming courtesy of a header.
Switzerland fought tooth and nail for a winner but were denied by Wales goalkeeper Danny Ward and later by VAR, with the technology ruling out Gavranovic's late strike for offside. As a result, the result remained 1-1 until the final whistle, forcing both sides to settle for a point.
Schweizer Nati can be felt hard done by the score line but Breel Embolo can only hold his head up high after his display. The 24-year-old's second-half strike was his first goal at a major international tournament, but it was his overall performance that landed him plaudits, being named the UEFA Star of the Match. Check out the best tweets below.
Breel Embolo = Star of the Match
— UEFA EURO 2020 (@EURO2020) June 12, 2021
Did you predict that? @Heineken | #EUROSOTM | #EURO2020 pic.twitter.com/yAWhIjXqqP
Breel Embolo - MotM: #WAL 1-1 #SUI
— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) June 12, 2021
Goals - 1
Shots (OT) - 6 (3)
Aerial Duels Won - 4
Dribbles - 3
Key Passes - 2
Tackles - 1
Pass Accuracy - 87%
Rating - 8.45 pic.twitter.com/7P5hbEzTEg
This tournament is one year late but Breel Embolo just took us back to FIFA 16 and his career mode potential pic.twitter.com/BIeYPc9Lv2
— VERSUS (@vsrsus) June 12, 2021
Embolo the Football Manager legend...
— Carl Anka (@Ankaman616) June 12, 2021
- Embolo with such an impressive run once again, starting from his own half.. pic.twitter.com/J9mvVsbWTD
— (@TheEuropeanLad) June 12, 2021
Not sure if Wales are terrible or Switzerland are decent but I've been impressed with the Swiss. Embolo is really sharp
— Tom Garratt (@Tgarratt10) June 12, 2021