Switzerland have managed to become the first team at the 2018 World Cup to win, after being behind, coming away 2-1 victors over Serbia in a thrilling tussle in Kaliningrad.
Serbia opened the harder and faster of the two teams, with opening chances shortly converted by Aleksandar Mitrovic, who bulleted a header into the net to give the Serbians the lead. The remainder of the half was the story of possession dominance by the Swiss, holding onto close to 70% possession.
However, it was Serbia who led at half-time. The second half belonged to Switzerland though, as Granit Xhaka scored with a world class strike from distance, to give Switzerland parity.
The Swiss continued to press, and an end to end contest ultimately provided the platform for Xherdan Shaqiri to break away and, though under pressure from the defender, slot the ball past the Serbian keeper, and seal the victory for the Swiss outfit.
Final score
Serbia 1
Switzerland 2
Switzerland face off against Group E rivals Serbia, in a key match up that could very well decide one of the top two places available for that knock stage, with both teams coming off confidence-boosting results in their opening matches. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match, starting from 4am AEST.
Coming into this morning’s (or depending on where you’re following, tonight’s) fixture, each team would have had this match pencilled in as a key match up in their hopes for progressing through the group stage.
Undoubtedly, Serbia would have been hoping that this match would give them an opportunity to put their European rival away in pursuit of the knock out stage, and while that may still be the outcome, the Swiss are, very suddenly, an even trickier opponent.
Serbia were made to earn their win against Coasta Rica, and while they ultimately came away with the three points on that occasion, it took an Aleksander Kolarov wonder-strike to wrap up the win for the Serbians.
The point being that, while Serbia won, they had to earn it against their less-fancied opponents, and Serbia will be mindful that one win does not a successful World Cup make.
Switzerland, despite not winning themselves, arguably come into this match in the better form of these teams.
Holding Brazil to a draw in their opening match, the first time in 40 years that Brazil has failed to win their opening World Cup match, is a truly extraordinary feat, something that should give the Swiss confidence to take on any opponent.
For Serbia, the carrot of tying up knock out round qualification with a game to spare should spur them on, however for the Swiss, the knowledge that they can take it to the world\’s best and get a result should give them confidence to keep the 2018 dream alive.
It promises to be a wonderfully fascinating match.
Expect Arsenal’s Granit Xhaka to control the match with aplomb from the middle, while once again Kolarov for Serbia will be the main man.
Prediction
A tough Serbian opponent looking to rubber stamp their passage to the next phase up against a disciplined and confident Swiss team hoping to keep their World Cup alive. Truly an irresistible force meeting an immovable object. The two may simply cancel each other out.
Switzerland 1 – Serbia 1.
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tom
Guest
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Rodger King
Roar Rookie
I watched 'that' tackle and ask myself, what does a guy have to do to earn a penalty? Shaking my head in disbelief, I wonder where the VAR was and when does it get involved?
perry cox
Roar Guru
Full Time Switzerland have managed to become the first team at the 2018 World Cup to win, after being behind, coming away 2-1 victors over Serbia in a thrilling tussle in Kaliningrad. In a tight affair, there were chances a plenty, creating a thrilling and tense affair that the impartial bystander would have thoroughly enjoyed. Serbia opened the match the harder and faster of the two teams, with opening chances shortly converted by Aleksandar Mitrovic, who bulleted a header into the net to give the Serbians the lead. The remainder of the half was the story of possession dominance by the Swiss, holding onto close to 70% possession. The half was also a story of Serbian aggression in the middle of the park, as the centre midfield trio of Luka Milivojevic, Sergej Milinkovoc-Savic, andNamenja Matic, all picked up first half yellow cards, putting their participation in the match (and possibly the tournament) on edge. However, it was Serbia who led at half-time. The second half belonged to Switzerland though, as Granit Xhaka scored with a world class strike from distance, to give Switzerland parity. Switzerland always looked the more likely to score, though that is not to say that Serbia did not have their chances. In fact, Serbia will rightly feel that they should have had a second half penalty. Mitrovic being confusingly called for a foul on Swiss defenders, when it was the attacker who was being held by not one, but two opponents in the area, and ultimately dragging him to the ground. Still, the possession dominance and clearer chances were characteristic of a Swiss team that played controlled and attacking football. The Swiss continued to press, and an end to end contest ultimately provided the platform for Xherdan Shaqiri to break away and, though under pressure from the defender, slot the ball past the Serbian keeper, and seal the victory for the Swiss outfit. Shaqiri picking up Switzerland’s only yellow card for the game for an unnecessary goal celebration that involved the removal of his shirt. So while both these teams remain alive in this World Cup, with Brazil earning a win earlier against Costa Rica and ending the Central American’s tourmane,tit is the Brazillians and the Swiss who would now be favoured to advance to the knockout phase. A thrilling contest has been witnessed here in Kaliningrad, emblematic of a tournament thus far that has continued to deliver the thrills and quality.
Serbia: 1 Switzerland: 2
KenoathCarnt
Guest
I hope Shaquiri comes to Liverpool.
perry cox
Roar Guru
Full Time 96' - And there's the whistle. Switzerland, the first team to come from behind to win at this tournament. What a game, and what a day's play.
Serbia: 1 Switzerland: 2
perry cox
Roar Guru
95' - Embolo with a low cross in, Ivanovic slides in to clear. Switzerland with a final corner. This should do it for them.
Serbia: 1 Switzerland: 2
perry cox
Roar Guru
94' - This might be Serbia's last chance.
Serbia: 1 Switzerland: 2
perry cox
Roar Guru
Yellow Card 93' - Switzerland clear, and then Switzerland are fouled in the middle. Shaqiri was also carded for taking his shirt off in celebrating. Zuber comes off, Drmic comes on for Switzerland.
Serbia: 1 Switzerland: 2
perry cox
Roar Guru
91' - 4 minutes of stoppage time, possibly more after that goal.
Serbia: 1 Switzerland: 2
perry cox
Roar Guru
90' - Well what a finish from Shaqiri. He was away, but under pressure, and he slips it past the keeper. Switzerland come back for more.
Serbia: 1 Switzerland: 2
perry cox
Roar Guru
Goal 90' - Switzerland give away sloppy possession, here comes Serbia on the right through Ivanovic. Akanji heads away. Switzerland break. Shaqiri scores for Switzerland!
Serbia: 1 Switzerland: 2
perry cox
Roar Guru
89' - Rodriguez sends in the corner, Serbia head away. Switzerland drop all the way back to Sommer.
Serbia: 1 Switzerland: 1
perry cox
Roar Guru
88' - Switzerland do well to hold out Serbia, and mount another raid. Ivanovic concedes another corner.
Serbia: 1 Switzerland: 1
perry cox
Roar Guru
Yellow Card 87' - Serbia break, and Akanji slide tackles and blocks the cross, Serbia corner. A foul ensues in the corner, and Switzerland have a free kick. Mitrovic earns a card for descent. Good.
Serbia: 1 Switzerland: 1
perry cox
Roar Guru
86' - Rodriguez into the wall, corner Switzerland.
Serbia: 1 Switzerland: 1
perry cox
Roar Guru
85' - Shaqiri is legitimately fouled, and he's fouled pretty cynically by Matic, who has been booked? That most definitely could have been a card. Anyway, Switzerland with a free kick that could very well be a shot. Rodriguez to take it.
Serbia: 1 Switzerland: 1
perry cox
Roar Guru
84' - Switzerland come in again, the player would have been offside, but he gets a shot off, Stojkovic makes the save!
Serbia: 1 Switzerland: 1
perry cox
Roar Guru
83' - Ivanovic does his best to score an own goal, can only muster a corner for Switzerland.
Serbia: 1 Switzerland: 1
perry cox
Roar Guru
82' - Embolo with a cracker from distance! Keeper saves, and holds.
Serbia: 1 Switzerland: 1
perry cox
Roar Guru
81' - 10 to go, Switzerland just can't get through the red shirts. Serbia will make a change. Milivojevic comes off (good game), and young Radonjic comes on. Will this change make any difference?
Serbia: 1 Switzerland: 1