- The Nati achieved a lackluster 2-1 win in the European Championship qualifiers at Fußballzwerg Andorra.
- For Switzerland it is the 3rd victory in the 3rd game in the current qualifying campaign.
- On Monday, the national team welcomes Romania to the top battle in Group I in Lucerne.
The main thing is victory: After a very long season with a world championship in the middle, the Swiss were showing their exhaustion. Physically too, but primarily mentally. Committed and, above all, concentrated, the first 45 minutes were enough for Murat Yakin’s team to score the next 3 points on the way to the 2024 European Championships in Germany.
Perfect start
The SFV selection laid the basis for the 3rd victory in the 3rd game early on. In the 7th minute, Ruben Vargas recognized Remo Freuler’s path and served the Nottingham player with a remarkable through ball.
Freuler didn’t miss the top chance to make it 1-0, rounded the Andorran goalie Iker Alvarez in a 1-on-1 game and easily slotted in to give the Swiss the lead. The goal was initially disallowed due to an alleged offside position, but the VAR correctly corrected the Hungarian field referee’s wrong decision.
Amdouni scores again
In the aftermath, too, the favorite controlled what was happening at will in front of 800 Swiss fans who had traveled with them to the Stadi Nacional in Andorra la Vella. In the 32nd minute, the Nati converted their superiority into another goal.
Xherdan Shaqiri’s sharp cross from the right found Zeki Amdouni in the penalty area, who deflected the ball into the net with a direct acceptance. For the 22-year-old FC Basel striker it was the 3rd goal in as many European Championship qualifiers.
Victory never in danger
After the break, the Swiss, with a 2-0 lead behind them, shifted down several gears, which the Andorrans knew how to use to score. In the 67th minute, it was Marcio Vieira, who had just come on as a substitute, who headed a free kick past Gregor Kobel into the goal. The Swiss had speculated on an offside position and looked correspondingly bad.
There was hardly any excitement, but none after the 1:2 – the class difference on the field was too big. The Swiss didn’t do more than necessary, but didn’t run the risk of losing their lead.
This is how it goes
One last effort is needed next Monday before the players can start their well-deserved vacation. Switzerland welcomes Romania to the top game in Group I in Lucerne (8:45 p.m. live on SRF Zwei).
The Romanians gave up points for the first time in the 0-0 draw at Kosovo on Friday and are second in the table behind the national team. In the third game of qualifying group I, Israel celebrated a 2-1 win over Belarus.