Monday 16 June 2014

Switzerland 2-1 Ecuador (Group E - Matchday 4)

Both team started the match rather cautiously. Neither one of them wanted to make a mistake, hence a quite dull opening 20 minutes.

Switzerland had plenty of possession. Anchored by Valon Behrami and Gokhan Inler in the heart of their midfield enable them to control possession. Unfortunately, they did not have the aggressive attitude to break the deadlock. Their attacking midfielder who was supposed to link up the play between midfield and striker failed to execute his duty.

Half way through the first half, Ecuador managed to launch a counter attack down the left flank. Jefferson Montero was wrestled down by Lichsteiner and was awarded a free kick. The resulting free kick produced the opening goal of the match. Enner Valencia was unmarked right in the 6-yard box to head home his fifth consecutive international goal.


Enner Valencia

Switzerland who has never won against a southern american opponent in five attempts look to bounce back. Unfortunately, Xherdan Shaqiri  crosses could have been better for his teammates to finish.

3 minutes after the restart, Switzerland was awarded a corner kick. Ricardo Rodriguez delivered a perfect cross for Admir Mehmedi who replaces Stocker at half time to head home for an equalizer as Dominguez was out of position.


Admir Mehmedi

Both teams exchanged attacks but to no avail until the second minute of stoppage time. Antonio Valencia sprints down the right flank with the ball and puts in a perfect low cross for Michael Arroyo to finish. Instead, Arroyo dallied on the ball and loses possession. Behrami then picked up the ball rides a rough tackle and passes it to Haris Seferovic who came on as a sub in the 75th minute. Seferovic then spreads the ball to the left flank for Mehmedi. Mehmedi sends a low cross into the 6 yard box for simple tap in for Seferovic to win the match for Switzerland in dramatic fashion.

Haris Seferovic won the match for Switzerland

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