Northern Ireland v Switzerland 08SEPT

THE SWISS WERE ON A ROLL AT EURO 2020…

WORDS: ANDY GREEVES

It was a case of perfect Swiss timing for Vladimir Petković’s team as they made history at the delayed UEFA Euro 2020.

When Paul Pogba scored to put France 3-1 up in their UEFA Euro 2020 round of 16 match against Switzerland in Bucharest on 28 June this year, media outlet 20 Minutes reported that some 250,000 Swiss TV viewers turned off their sets with 15 minutes of the game remaining. Those who abandoned ship early missed a series of plot twists in one of the competition’s best matches along with one of the finest performances by the Rossocrociati (Red Crosses) at a major tournament . Having failed to progress beyond the group stage on three of their four previous appearances at the European Championship finals, in 1996, 2004 and 2008 (while they reached the round of 16 in 2016) , it’s fair to say expectations of Vladimir Petković’s side ahead of the delayed UEFA Euro 2020 were somewhat tempered. That said the Swiss did raise some eyebrows topping their qualifying group, which contained Denmark, Republic of Ireland, Georgia and Gibraltar. A 1-1 draw with Wales in their opening UEFA Euro 2020 Group A encounter followed by a 3-0 defeat to Italy left Switzerland’s hopes of making it through to the knockout phase hanging by a thread. A goal from Haris Seferovic and a brace from Xherdan Shaqiri saw the Swiss to a convincing 3-1 victory over Turkey in Baku in their final group match though, as Petković’s men progressed as one of the tournament’s best third- placed teams. And so to the aforementioned round of 16 clash against many people’s pre-tournament favourites. Haris Seferovic gave the Swiss an early lead with a pinpoint header. The Rossocrociati then missed a glorious chance to double their advantage when Ricardo Rodriguez’s spot kick was saved by Les Bleus captain Hugo Lloris.

A brace from Karim Benzema and the strike from Pogba looked to have put the tie beyond the Swiss. But Petković’s team rallied. A second headed goal from Seferovic came with nine minutes of the 90 remaining. Mario Gavranović had a Swiss ‘equaliser’ ruled out for offside minutes later. They were not to be denied though and it was Gavranović who latched on to a perfect through ball from Granit Xhaka to make it 3-3 with just 12 seconds of normal time remaining. In extra time Switzerland produced a tactical masterclass to restrict the French to just two good goalscoring opportunities, which they failed to take. The Rossocrociati were clinical in the ensuing penalty shootout , converting all five of their spot kicks. Kylian Mbappe knew he had to score when he stepped up to take France’s fifth penalty. An outstretched left arm from in-form goalkeeper Yann Sommer denied him as Switzerland made history by reaching their first European Championship quarter-final . In their last eight clash with Spain it was 1-1 after 90 minutes, Shaqiri’s third goal of the tournament , which came in the second half, cancelling out an own goal from Denis Zakaria. Resolute once again in extra time, Switzerland forced their way to a second successive penalty shootout . Misses from Fabian Schär, Manuel Akanji and Ruben Vargas were to deny them another sporting miracle though as they went down to a 3-1 spot kick defeat . Less than a month after their tournament elimination boss Petkovic stepped down from his role as Swiss head coach to take charge at French club Bordeaux - but both he and his Switzerland class of 2021 had already guaranteed their place in national sporting immortality by that stage.

IRISHFA.COM

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