Switzerland have won the chasing duel against Northern Ireland in World Cup qualifying Group C. The most talked-about scene occurred in the 37th minute. The most talked-about scene occurred as early as the 37th minute.
On the Swiss side, Freuler was the only player in the starting eleven who was not or is not active in the Bundesliga. Otherwise, there were seven current and three ex-Bundesliga players in the home side’s starting line-up against Northern Ireland, who got off to the better start in the match – and were jubilant for a short time at least after Zakaria’s supposed opening goal (5th). But after a VAR review, the goal was disallowed because Shaqiri was in the keeper’s field of vision and offside. Shaqiri then missed alone in front of Peacock-Farrell (11th).
Lewis curiously sees yellow card
The Northern Irish continued to act passively, but there were no more big chances for the hosts. The Swiss were dominant, but lacked the decisive precision in the final third. In the 37th minute, however, referee Slavlo Vincic took centre stage: after giving the visitors, who often took a long time to execute standards, a few warnings, Lewis was finally cautioned for time play – for taking too long with a throw-in near the halfway line. The problem: For the 23-year-old Newcastle professional it was already the second yellow card of the game, which is why he was sent off with a yellow-red.
Shortly before the break, it was Zuber who finally rewarded the Swiss after a renewed period of pressure when he scored on the counterattack for a deserved 1-0 lead (45.+3).
Fassnacht with the late decision
After the break, the home side pressed hard and kept the visitors in their half, but Embolo (55.) and Schär (70.) both failed to find Peacock-Farrell, the Northern Ireland backstop, who could hardly break free and could not pose any serious problems for Sommer at the other end. Embolo missed another great chance shortly before the end (87th) and again did not provide the decisive goal. However, this task was taken over by Joker Fassnacht, who also scored the 2:0 final score after a counterattack (90.+1).
The Swiss thus retain all their chances of direct entry to the World Cup. They are currently in second place in Group C, three points behind leaders Italy with one game less. The two teams will meet in a direct duel on 12 November, but before that Switzerland will play last-place Lithuania away on Tuesday.
