The match between Switzerland and Portugal on 12 June in Geneva, fearful of being a pointless match, was the meeting that rekindled the flame of hope. It can now burn all summer long.
In a completely sold out stadium – 26,300 spectators – and shared equally by the fans of Switzerland and Portugal, the selection of Murat Yakin won 1-0 thanks to success after … 58 seconds of play from Haris Seferovic. Because of Jonas Umlin’s caged prowess and impeccable team spirit, this victory changes everything.
In the near future, it allows Switzerland to return, after three preliminary defeats, to one point behind the Czech Republic, who were defeated 2-0 in Malaga by Spain, before the last two games in September. Maintenance in the first division of the League of Nations becomes possible again.
This success, the first of the year, will especially calm spirits. With his 4-3-3 style, Murat Yakin made surprising choices at times. But they were winners. The coach was able to count on the captain who personally paid. In the face of opposing pressure, Granit Shaka coped admirably. After five lackluster performances in 2022 in the national team jersey, the captain has finally shown that he is a truly great captain.
The twenty-fifth goal of goalkeeper Seferovic
Less than a minute was enough to remind Haris Seferovic that he was the champion of Switzerland-France last year in the Euro Championship with a double from Bucharest. Lucerne scored his 25th goal for the selection with a header after a perfect cross from Sylvain Widmer who benefited from a wonderful turn from Xherdan Shaqiri.
With that goal, Switzerland finally pulled off the success they might have missed in their first three group stage matches. But it would have been better had the VAR not overruled the penalty that Shaqiri was about to take in the 13th minute. Nuno Mendes handed a cross from Shaqiri himself, but did not finally pass the VAR cut because of a Nico Elvede foul on Andre Silva in start of movement.
With the dual-target advantage, Switzerland’s mattress was more comfortable. Even more so after Shaqiri at 21 came out with thigh pain. Basel was logically replaced by Noah Okafor, and he was left out of the starting line-up due to the return of Nima Seferovic.
Unspoiled by Cristiano Ronaldo, but with rather inspiring Bruno Fernandes and untenable Rafael Leao, Portugal dominated the minutes. But he was only to take advantage of one chance with a header from Danilo that Jonas O’Mlin interfered with the class. The Montpellier goalkeeper gave a performance that Gregor Copel could not achieve a week ago in Lisbon.
Dazzling omelette
At the start of the second half, Widmer was also forced to give up his place. We don’t know if Murat Yakin bit his fingers to take the club’s two right-backs – Jordan Lutumba and Kevin Mbabu – into the stands, eventually introducing Renato Stephen in a role he doesn’t have.
At the start of the second half, Widmer was also forced to give up his place. We don’t know if Murat Yakin bit his fingers to send two players occupying the club’s right-back position – Jordan Lutumba and Kevin Mbabu – to finally introduce Renato Stephen to play the role he does not have.
As we feared, this second period was just an offensive defense. The impression was reinforced by the entries of Diogo Jota and Bernardo Silva after the hour mark and, fortunately for Switzerland, the team’s goalkeeper was up to the situation. Omlin saved his people in the 49th minute in front of Andre Silva, in the 63rd minute with a shot from Bernardo Silva, in the 72nd minute on recovering from Guedes and with a header from Diogo Jota again in the 77th minute. Already in his favor at Wembley last March against England, the Lucerne man showed that he He could, like Jan Sommer, also be the man in the big matches.
