Later compensation by Israel
Switzerland still has to wait for its EM ticket
November 16, 2023, 1:45 a.m
After a week-long break, Israel’s national soccer team is continuing its qualifying series for next year’s European Championships, with four games scheduled within ten days. Shon Weissmann saved a point against Switzerland in the last minute.
Switzerland missed early qualification for the European Football Championship in Germany by conceding a late goal. In Granit Bundesliga professional Ruben Vargas from FC Augsburg gave Switzerland the lead in the 36th minute. Shon Weissman (88th) equalized for Israel. The Swiss Edimilson Fernandes from FSV Mainz 05 was shown a red card in added time for rough play.
With a win, Switzerland would have qualified for the European Championship two match days before the end of the group games. Despite the draw, coach Murat Yakin’s team took the lead in the table with 16 points ahead of the Romanians with the same number of points. Israel, which scored its first point in the second international match after the Hamas terrorist attacks after a 1-0 defeat in Kosovo, is third with twelve points and can also still hope to take part in the European Championship.
Thanks to his efforts, the Swiss captain Grani Xhaka became the only record national player for the Swiss. The Bayer Leverkusen midfielder completed his 119th international match, leaving behind Heinz Hermann, who played 118 times for Switzerland.
Israel’s games were not played in October due to the Gaza war. That’s why the team now plays four games within ten days. After the matches in Kosovo and against Switzerland, the games against Romania (Saturday) and three days later in Andorra are on the program. Due to the current threat situation, Israel plays its home games on neutral grounds.