A young, mobile and fearsome Switzerland squad go up against the slick South Americans from Ecuador in Group D’s first match of the World Cup. Join us for live scores and updates from 2:00am AEST.
With France and Honduras taking the other two spots in Group D, the three points in this match are vital for progression, and Switzerland are in prime position to take them.
Somewhat surprisingly, Switzerland sit ranked sixth in the world in front of Uruguay (7), Italy (9), England (10) and Holland (14).
They’ve had a perfect run of form heading into the competition, with just one defeat in their past eighteen matches, and are favourites in Group E, along with France, to progress to the knockout phase.
However, World Cup opening matches scarcely pan out as predicted, as Costa Rica demonstrated against Uruguay yesterday and Switzerland demonstrated against Spain in 2010.
No team at the World Cup should be overlooked, and the Ecuadorians have Manchester United’s slippery winger Valencia leading the attack.
A counterattack will most likely be their weapon against Switzerland, with speed their most valuable asset. Ecuador’s defence will have to be much more organised than it has been of late, as they’ve not kept a clean sheet in their past five matches.
Switzerland will look to dominate possession with their extremely strong midfield. Shaqiri of Bayern Munich, Inler, Behrami and Dzmaili of Napoli, and Xhaka of Borussia Monchengladbach are all candidates for starting positions. If playing well, will be hard to stop.
Prediction
Switzerland look too strong for Ecuador and will win by 2 goals or more, but not without Ecuador getting one of their own.
Mister Football
Roar Guru
good time to switch on!!
Nate
Guest
What a finish that was!
Mister Football
Roar Guru
So in one hour we have France vs Honduras I'm going to get in my customary one hour kip stay strong amigos only the committed survive
Stevo
Roar Rookie
Holy heck, just got up and saw the last gasp goal for the Swiss!!! Looked like an entertaining game.
Mister Football
Roar Guru
Rodriguez had an excellent game, being the provider for both goals for Switzerland, playing at left back.
Mister Football
Roar Guru
For Switzerland, the two subs scored in the second half, Mehmedi and Serefovic. So it ends here Switzerland 2 Ecuador 1 in an entertaining game.
Mister Football
Roar Guru
And that's it - final whistle - Switzerland have won this 2-1 literally in the final seconds of play! It was Arroyo who nearly had the chance at one end, clean tackle, Swizerlan broke, and again, Rodriguez was the provider again down the let, and Seferovic tapped in at the near post
Mister Football
Roar Guru
92 min Sui 1 - Ecu 1 a bit of a midfield battle last few minutes, neither team penetrating into the respective boxes A Valencia, puts it in, excellent tackle!! GOAL!!!! Seferovic must have won it for Switzerland!!
Mister Football
Roar Guru
89 min Sui 1 - Ecu 1 don't forget, Ecuador have never drawn a game at WC level, so we might be heading for their first
Mister Football
Roar Guru
87 min Sui 1 - Ecu 1 it was Arroyo who took that last free for Ecuador, slight deflection, so excellent save from Benaglio, kept Switzerland in it another cross in for Ecuador, but over Rojas' head
Mister Football
Roar Guru
85 min Sui 1 - Ecu 1 Ecuador earn the free, at least 25m out, Swiss all right on tip of D forces the save!
Mister Football
Roar Guru
83 min Sui 1 - Ecu 1 Inler has got more involved last few minutes, another cross into the box, but cleared yellow for Djourou,
Mister Football
Roar Guru
80 min Sui 1 - Ecu 1 Shaqiri brought down outside the box, definitely within a good range, ref has his spray paint out, into the wall Ecuador break, but Swiss fall back very quickly
Mister Football
Roar Guru
78 min Sui 1 - Ecu 1 I appear to be experiencing similar tech difficulties to what Ando much have been experiencing so apologies there both sides definitely looking for the winner here Rodriguez puts in the cross, and Dominguez was nearly caught in no mans land
Mister Football
Roar Guru
Rojas on for Montero both play left mid
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Roar Guru
Seferovic on for Drmic
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Roar Guru
73 min Sui 1 - Ecu 1 keeper mix up nearly let Valencia into an open goal
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69 min Sui 1 - Ecu 1 disallowed goal for S
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59 min Sui 1 - Ecu 1 Valencia tries one from outside the box but wide again, now wide fo the other Valencia, there are two, over hits the cross
Mister Football
Roar Guru
56 min Sui 1 - Ecu 1 Another long range shot, wide Ecuador initially win possession from the goal kick, but Swiss win it back in own half and Shaqiri puts in a decent cross