Euro 2020 Report: Wales 1 - 1 Switzerland

A goal a-piece left both sides with a point each as Wales and Switzerland opened up their Euro 2021 campaigns with a hard-fought draw in Baku.

Switzerland led early in the second half thanks to Breel Embolo, but Kieffer Moore netted late to salvage a point for Robert Page’s side.

The result leaves Group A wide open as any side could yet qualify, though Italy’s opening-day win over Turkey leaves them in pole position.

The Swiss controlled much of the game and forced their Welsh counterparts back for long periods. A late header ensured a positive result for both sides though.  

Fans had been advised not to travel, but enough Welsh supporters found their way into the stadium in Baku to make their presence felt.

They would have been warmed by their side’s bright start as well, as Daniel James was able to beat his man to put in a cross that was claimed by Yann Sommer.

Gareth Bale was starting to pull the strings on the other flank as he freed Conor Roberts for an effort on goal.

James was again at the heart of matters as Wales had their best chance of the opening period when he was found on the left.

The Manchester United forward’s pin-point cross was headed powerfully towards goal by Moore. Sommer was just about able to tip it over.  

Moore was in the wars as he clashed heads on a corner. It was the Swiss who were beginning to dominate affairs now, though.

Xherdan Shaqiri whipped in a corner that Fabian Schar flicked goalwards, but Danny Ward was able to react in time.

Newcastle United defender Schar was guilty of a professional foul when body checking James on a breakaway shortly after.

Embolo was causing issues for the Welsh, one of which almost led to a goal just before the half time whistle.

The Borussia Moenchengladbach striker held up the ball, despite being held, and laid it into the path of Haris Seferovic, but he blazed his shot over.  

Wales did not heed their warning though and, after another excellent save by Ward from Embolo, the forward was left free to power home the resulting corner.

Embolo saw another chance tipped away by Ward before setting up Kevin Mbabu, who screwed it wide.

Switzerland aimed to close things up a substitution in midfield by bringing on Denis Zakaria. It did not work as a cleverly played corner routine led to the equaliser.

The corner was played short to Joe Morrell and crossed for Moore to ghost past the sub Zakaria and score.

Wales took the initiative and David Brooks crossed for a chance that Aaron Ramsey just failed to connect with.

There was a big let-off for the Welsh then as Mario Gavronovic met a flick on by Embolo to slot home and Switzerland looked to have re-taken the lead.

It was ruled out on a VAR decision as offside, but it proved the threat the Swiss still had, and Wales were hanging on at the end.

They just about managed this to the delight of their fans. They come up against Turkey next on Wednesday in Baku while Switzerland face Italy in Rome on the same night.

Wales: Danny Ward; Ben Davies, Chris Mepham, Connor Roberts, Joe Rodon; Joe Allen, Joe Morrell, Aaron Ramsey (Ethan Ampadu 90); Daniel James (David Brooks 74), Gareth Bale (c), Kieffer Moore.

Subs not used: Tom Lockyer, Dylan Levitt, Wayne Hennessey, Chris Gunter, Adam Davies, Rhys Norrington-Davies, Tyler Roberts, Jonathan Williams, Neco Williams, Harry Wilson.

Booked: Kieffer Moore (47).

Switzerland: Yann Sommer; Kevin Mbabu, Nico Elvedi, Manuel Akanji, Ricardo Rodriguez, Fabian Schar; Remo Freuler, Xherdan Shaqiri (Denis Zakaria 65), Granit Xhaka (c); Breel Embolo, Haris Seferovic (Mario Gavranovic 83).

Subs not used: Yvon Mvogo, Admir Mehmedi, Christian Fassnacht, Eray Comert, Loris Benito, Jonas Omlin, Djibril Sow, Ruben Vargas, Silvan Widmer, Steven Zuber.

Booked: Fabian Schar (29) Kevin Mbabu (62).

Referee: Clement Turpin (France).

Attendance: 8,782 (official).

Extratime.ie Player of the Match: Breel Embolo (Switzerland).

Postcard from the South Stand - Rovers fans make a return to Tallaght https://t.co/nhFLa4Q7tjpic.twitter.com/AfDBcMOLpj

— Extratime.com (@ExtratimeNews) June 12, 2021