Zeki Amdouni leads Switzerland to a convincing Nations League start

The Swiss national team kicked off the Nations League with a convincing 3-0 win against North Macedonia in Skopje. Zeki Amdouni was the man of the match, scored a double and provided an assist, while coach Murat Yakin omitted Granit Xhaka and Breel Embolo, and thus the Nati displayed its offensive strength, an ideal start to the Nations League.

New Lineup and Fresh Faces

Coach Murat Yakin deployed Ardon Jashari as a replacement for Granit Xhaka alongside Remo Freuler. In addition, newcomer Zachary Athekame and Zeki Amdouni started, while the Burnley striker Winsley Boteli remained on the bench. Both newcomers immediately fitted into the team structure. Switzerland shares the group with Slovenia and Scotland, who have remained goalless so far. The three teams in the group are fighting for the top spot.

Amdouni Hat‑trick and Other Match Events

In the 22nd minute, Dan Ndoye delivered a cross from the left side, which Zeki Amdouni headed perfectly for Remo Freuler. The Olympiakos‑legionnaire struck the lower right corner and opened the scoring at 1-0. Ndoye's assist was decisive for the first goal. The early lead came after 22 minutes. Five minutes later Ndoye hit the post, the second goal did not materialise.

After a failed attempt by Johan Manzambi in the 39th minute, the second goal followed. Zachary Athekame played the ball to Amdouni, who in his 34th appearance scored his 12th international goal – an ice‑cold finish to make it 2-0. Athekame, who had only been active in the training camp before, showed immediate instinct for the offensive movements. With that, Switzerland solidified its lead.

German media predict three-way points race in Nations League group

In the 74th minute Amdouni increased the lead again, this time with his weaker left foot. He received the pass from Athekame at the edge of the penalty area, let a defender run past and finished confidently to make it 3-0. That was his second goal of the evening and the third for the Nati. Switzerland controlled large portions of the match and allowed little danger on its own goal.

German referee Daniel Schlager initially showed a red card to Matej Gashtarov, but shortly thereafter corrected it to a yellow card. Gashtarov's substitution remained without further consequences. In the final phase Winsley Boteli made his Nati debut, but narrowly missed the goal. Schlager, a German, quickly corrected his decision. The team remained defensively compact.

In the 63rd minute Sascha Britschgi replaced a starter and earned his first A‑international cap. Switzerland awaits on Tuesday the away match against Scotland at Hampden Park, while North Macedonia simultaneously visits Slovenia. The match against Scotland kicks off at (live on SRF two). Both fixtures will be broadcast live on SRF two.