Wales 1-1 Switzerland
Wales held Switzerland to a draw, in scorching conditions in Baku, to get both teams’ Euro 2020 campaign off the mark, but the Swiss will be disappointed with a point.
They went ahead, just after half time, through the excellent Breel Embolo and as they pressed for a second Kieffer Moore hit back to grab a leveller while Wales keeper Danny Ward had the game of his life.
Euro 2020: Wales vs Switzerland finished the first round of games in Group A after Italy opened up the tournament with an impressive 3-0 win over Turkey and that did both these teams a favour in their quest to qualify for the knockout stage.
Highlights of the game
The Dragons were under the cosh in the early stages as Xherdan Shaqiri and Embolo buzzed around in the Swiss attack, supported by Kevin Mbabu raiding down the right. After a Shaqiri cross was cleared, Granit Xhaka tried an effort from distance but it cannoned off Haris Seferovic and away to safety.
Wales fans recognise their hopes of progressing through the tournament depend, largely, on the form of Gareth Bale and he showed a delightful touch to leave Ricardo Rodriguez standing but his cross was too deep and floated out of play. But Wales has a superb chance when Moore met a Dan James cross which Yann Sommer saved brilliantly. Then, at the other end of the pitch, when a corner flew in, Danny Ward made a great reaction save to deny Fabian Schar.
Switzerland dominated the remainder of the half, Haris Seferovic came close with a rasping drive and the free-kick count mounted up as Wales defended doggedly. Right on the stroke of half time the Swiss almost went in front when Embolo laid a ball off to Seferovic but he scooped his shot wide.
The first half Wales vs Switzerland highlights told a tale of Swiss domination, though Sommer had the hardest save to make in the first 45. But Ward was the first goalkeeper in action right at the beginning of the second half when Embolo burst through and fired a powerful shot at the stopper, who showed a strong hand to parry it away for a corner. But his respite lasted just seconds before Shaqiri swung the corner in and Embolo rose to head a great header down and into the corner of the net.
It had been coming, and the 24 year old Embolo had his first ever tournament goal. His tail was up and he almost created a second when he left the Welsh defence standing and slid the ball out to Mbabu, who fired it across the six yard box, but no-one was there to make the tap in. Then Embolo came close when he curled a beauty inches wide of Wards left hand post.
But at 1-0 Wales were still in the game and they drew level, completely out of the blue, with just 15 minutes remaining. Under no real pressure Remo Freuler headed the ball out for a corner and when the ball came in Moore directed a superb glancing header beyond Sommer and into the net.
Vladimir Petkovic brought Mario Gavranovic on to replace Seferovic and he thought he’d won the game with his first touch as he volleyed home at the near post, but Wales were saved by VAR which found the in-form striker was inches offside. And as Switzerland piled forward Ward made another great save to deny Embolo.
Key statistics
The Wales vs Switzerland betting odds had Petkovic’s team as favourites and they totally dominated from start to finish. With 72 per cent possession and 11 shots to two, the Swiss bossed the first half but they only managed one shot on target, the same as Wales.
The pattern continued in the second period and the Swiss ended up with four shots on target to Wales’ two but they couldn’t turn their superiority into a win.
This was the first draw between these two teams in eight games, Switzerland winning five of the previous seven, and it ended a six match winning streak for the Swiss.
What’s next?
The games are coming thick and fast now, with Group B underway today and FIFA’s top ranked team Belgium in action and then, on Sunday, England open their campaign with a match against 2018 World Cup champions Croatia.
Back in Group A, Petkovic’s Switzerland come face to face with group favourites Italy on Wednesday, before they play their third group match against Turkey on Sunday 20th.
Wales reached the semi-finals at Euro 16 and before kick-off they were at odds of 15.00, here at SBOTOP, to reach the last four again. Those odds won’t have changed any but they have given themselves a chance to escape the group.
Next up it’s Turkey on Wednesday for Robert Page and his team, before they meet the Azzurri next Sunday.
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