Scotland‘s Euro 2024 opener did not go to plan at all. They were always going to be up against it, facing a Germany side that have found form under Julian Nagelsmann and will have been boosted by hosting the tournament. But no one will have predicted such a heavy defeat for the Tartan Army.

A 5-1 thrashing, their second-heaviest defeat at a major tournament — after their 7-0 loss to Uruguay at the 1954 World Cup — leaves Scotland needing something big to qualify for the last 16. Only a win against Switzerland will really do. Although there is the possibility for qualification through being one of the best third-placed sides, Scotland’s -4 goal difference is already counting massively against them.

Switzerland weren’t really being talked about ahead of Euro 2024 and went up against dark horses Hungary in their opening game. But Switzerland were comfortable in their 3-1 victory, putting them in a very good position to reach the last 16. Level on points with Germany, Switzerland know victory here would put them through to the last 16 providing Hungary don’t beat the hosts.

Scotland and Switzerland meet in the second game of the second round of Euro 2024 group stage fixtures on June 19 at the Cologne Stadium in Cologne at 8pm.

Switzerland’s game against Hungary was essentially won in the first half thanks to goal from Kwadwo Duah and Michel Aebischer putting them 2-0 up. But Barnabas Varga’s second-half strike made things nervy, before Breel Embolo confirmed Switzerland’s victory in injury time.

The goal meant that Embolo has now scored in each of the last three major international tournaments, just the second player to score in three separate tournaments for Switzerland after Xherdan Shaqiri (five). Embolo has scored four goals in those three tournaments, with only Shaqiri (nine) and Josef Hugi (six) netting more in major tournaments for the Swiss.

FT 1-3,2-3



译文(自动翻译仅供参考):

苏格兰的2024年欧洲杯揭幕战完全没有按计划进行。他们总是会遇到这样的对手，面对的是在纳格尔斯曼(Julian Nagelsmann)的带领下找回状态的德国队，他们将因举办世界杯而士气大增。但没有人会预料到格子军团会遭受如此惨重的失败。

一场5比1的惨败，是继1954年世界杯0比7负于乌拉圭之后，苏格兰在重大赛事中第二重的失利，这让苏格兰需要打出大比分才能晋级16强。只有战胜瑞士才能真正做到这一点。虽然作为最好的第三名球队之一，苏格兰有晋级的可能，但4 - 1的净胜球已经对他们产生了巨大的不利影响。

在2024年欧洲杯之前，瑞士并没有真正被谈论过，他们在首场比赛中对阵了黑马匈牙利。但瑞士队以3比1的比分轻松取胜，这使他们在进入16强的道路上占据了非常有利的位置。与德国积分持平，瑞士队知道只要匈牙利不击败东道主，他们就能晋级16强。

6月19日晚上8点，苏格兰和瑞士将在科隆体育场举行2024年欧洲杯小组赛第二轮第二场比赛。

瑞士对匈牙利的比赛基本上是在上半场取得胜利的，这要归功于杜瓦和艾比舍的进球，他们以2比0领先。但是巴尔加下半场的进球让比赛变得紧张起来，之后布里尔·博罗在伤停补时阶段确认了瑞士队的胜利。

这一进球意味着栓塞现在已经在最近的三场主要国际比赛中都有进球，是继Xherdan Shaqiri(五次)之后第二位在三场独立比赛中进球的瑞士球员。栓塞在这三场比赛中打进4球，仅次于沙奇里(9球)和约瑟夫·休吉(6球)。

英国《金融时报》1 - 3、2 - 3