Swiss footballers did not take advantage of the opportunity to advance to EURO 2024 in Germany. In Wednesday’s Qualifying Group I match, they were leading Israel 1-0 shortly before the end, and a win would definitely send them to the championship, but they conceded in the 89th minute and still have to postpone their promotion celebrations after a 1-1 draw. The duel was played on neutral ground in Felcsút, Hungary.
The Swiss created more clear chances in the match, Israel was saved twice by the goal structure. However, they expressed their superiority in the game with only one goal, in the 36th minute, Ruben Vargas headed in a cross from the right side from Edimilson Fernandes. It was Fernandes who was the main actor of the meeting. In the 89th minute, after a corner kick by Israel, the ball unfortunately bounced off him to Shon Weissman and he quickly equalized from the turn. Fernandes then hit Doro Turgeman’s foot in the slide in added time, which the referee awarded with a red card.
With 16 points, the Helvetii got to the top of the score table ahead of second place Romania, but they are not sure of progress yet. Third-placed Israel trails the leading pair by four points heading into the final two qualifying rounds and is still nursing a chance.
Switzerland captain Granit Xhaka set a new national record on Wednesday when he started his 119th game for the national team. Until now, he held the record together with Heinz Hermann, who played the 118th duel in 1991. Xhaka has scored 14 goals for the national team since his debut in June 2011.
The match was originally supposed to be played on October 12, but due to security concerns after the terrorist attack by Hamas on the territory of Israel, it was first postponed and then moved to Hungary. In the Pancho Arena in Felcsút, the Israeli representatives will also play another home match against Romania (on Saturday, November 18).
2023-11-15 21:59:03
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