Wales 1-1 Switzerland: Player ratings as Moore cancels out Embolo opener
Wales and Switzerland played out a 1-1 draw as Group A moved to Baku, Azerbaijan on the second day of Euro 2020.
Breel Embolo and Kieffer Moore both scored headers to share the points in a game that developed from a tepid first half into an exciting conclusion.
Switzerland will come away from the game the more disappointed of the two, having had chances to win it both before and after Wales equalised. A potential late winner for substitute Mario Gavranovic was also correctly ruled out for offside following a VAR intervention.
Here's a look at how both sets of players fared...
Wales player ratings
1. Goalkeeper & Defenders
Danny Ward (GK) - 8/10 - Made good saves in either half that proved crucial to keeping Wales in the game. Another top save in the final minute gave Wales their point.
Connor Roberts (RB) - 6/10 - Lost the battle of strength with Embolo for the opening goal.
Joe Rodon (CB) - 6/10 - Had a chance to gamble on a deep free-kick into the box in the first half.
Chris Mepham (CB) - 5/10 - Really struggled to contain Embolo in particular.
Ben Davies (LB) - 6/10 - Crossing was good when he got chance to get forward.
2. Midfielders
Joe Morrell (CM) - 6/10 - It was his perfect cross that Moore connected with to equalise.
Joe Allen (CM) - 5/10 - Played the role of the deep-lying midfielder but was overwhelmed at times.
Aaron Ramsey (CM) - 5/10 - Appeared to be a little off the pace, but he was involved in the tidy move that gave Wales the corner they equalised from.
3. Forwards
Gareth Bale (RW) - 5/10 - Touched the ball fewer times than any other player on the pitch in the first half. That changed after half-time, although his overall influence was no greater.
Kieffer Moore (ST) - 7/10 - Brought an exceptional early save out of Sommer in the Swiss goal and made the opponents pay once he was provided with decent service later on.
Daniel James (LW) - 7/10 - A bright spark and always a danger on the counter attack. Put in some good crosses that deserved better.
4. Substitutes
David Brooks (LW) - 6/10 - Created a good chance soon after coming on.
Ethan Ampadu (CM) - N/A - Replaced Ramsey in stoppage time.
Switzerland
5. Goalkeeper & Defenders
Yann Sommer (GK) - 7/10 - Made a crucial fingertip save to deny Moore early on.
Kevin Mbabu (RWB) - 7/10 - Missed a glorious chance at 1-0 but was still one of Switzerland’s most involved players at both ends of the pitch. Harshly booked for a perfectly timed tackle.
Nico Elvedi (CB) - 6/10 - Barely noticeable for most of the game as Wales didn’t create a great deal from open play.
Fabian Schar (CB) - 6/10 - Close to scoring an incredible backheel volley in the first half. Let Moore get across him too easily when Wales got their equaliser.
Manuel Akanji (CB) - 6/10 - Another centre-back who will face more of a direct test in other games.
Ricardo Rodriguez (LWB) - 6/10 - Much of Switzerland’s wide play was down the right so he was much less involved that Mbabu on the other side.
6. Midfielders
Remo Freuler (CM) - 6/10 - Allowed a lot of time in midfield for over an hour.
Granit Xhaka (CM) - 6/10 - Not challenged for large periods.
Xherdan Shaqiri (AM) - 7/10 - His pinpoint teasing delivery from a corner gave Switzerland the lead. Tactically sacrificed to protect the lead just after the hour mark.
7. Forwards
Breel Embolo (ST) - 8/10 - Posed a genuine threat and created good chances. Rewarded with his first ever tournament goal, having already won the corner that led to it by forcing an excellent save.
Haris Seferovic (ST) - 5/10 - Wayward finishing cost him a potential first half hat-trick.
8. Substitutes
Denis Zakaria (CM) - 6/10 - Brought on with 25 minutes to go to shore up the midfield.
Mario Gavranovic (ST) - 7/10 - Thought he’d scored late winner for Switzerland, only to see it ruled out following a VAR review. Continued to cause problems.
For more from Jamie Spencer, follow him on Twitter and Facebook!