Switzerland secured their first win of Russia 2018 World Cup after a hard fought 2-1 win against Serbia at Kaliningrad Stadium in a Group E fixture on Friday. Aleksandra Mitrovic opened scoring for Serbia but Granit Xhaka leveled for the Swiss with a fine strike from outside the box before Shaqiri’s late strike won it for Switzerland.
Serbia dominated passion early in the game even after their goal as the Swiss seem rattled. However, Switzerland slowly got back into proceedings and took control of match as the game progresses. They were few exciting moments in the first half as both sides seek to control the game mostly in the midfield with very little penetration into the final third.
The Swiss came to life in the second half and literally pinned the Serbians to their half of the field with wave after wave of attacks. The effort paid off when Xhaka hit a magnificent thunderbolt of a strike in midway in the second half before the ‘Swiss Messi’, Shakiri broke Serbian hearts with the winning goal late into stoppage time. The win takes Switzerland to second on the group table behind Brazil while Serbia falls to third place.
Moments
5′ GOAL! Mitrovic puts Serbia ahead with a finely headed effort
30′ Dzemaili’s goal saved
44′ Tosic miss
45′ Tadic shot over the bar
52′ GOAL! Xhaka equalise for Switzerland
90′ GOAL! Shaqiri’s late goal wins it for Switzerland with a solo effort in the final minute
Match Statistics
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