- In the 4th match of the European Championship qualification, Switzerland suffered its first defeat with a 0:1 loss in Hungary.
- Emöke Papai scores the golden goal after a bad pass from Coumba Sow.
- Ramona Bachmann misses a penalty in injury time.
The two teams offered spectators a meager football fare. Hardly any connected actions, hardly any goal chances, it was really not surprising that no goals were scored for a long time.
And it was also telling that the only goal of the match came after a hair-raising mistake. Coumba Sow played the ball into the feet of the Hungarian Emöke Papai in her own half without any pressure. The attacker, who is under contract with GC, didn’t hesitate for long, shot from around 20 meters and hit the far corner with a precise bounce (73′).
Missed penalty in injury time
Anyone who had hoped for a strong reaction from the Swiss in the final quarter of an hour was disappointed. Luana Bühler headed the ball over the goal after a free kick cross from Ramona Bachmann (83′), and that was all that seemed to be coming.
But in injury time, the visitors suddenly had the chance to unexpectedly steal a point from Budapest. After a handball in the penalty area, referee Eleni Antoniou pointed to the penalty spot. As in the first leg, Bachmann took a run-up. But unlike the game 5 days ago, the US mercenary hit the post.
Defeat without major consequences
So it remained a not undeserved defeat, which has no impact on the European Championship qualification, as Switzerland has already qualified for the finals as host of EURO 2025.
But it is about promotion to the highest league in the Nations League. But because their closest rivals Turkey also lost (0:1 in Azerbaijan), Switzerland remains at the top of Group 1 and still has the best chance of achieving direct promotion.
This is how it continues
At the end of the European Championship qualification campaign, the Swiss will play away against Turkey on July 12th and at home against Azerbaijan on July 16th. The duel with the Turks will then be the preliminary decision in the fight for promotion in the Nations League.