The Swiss conceded the goals in the 82nd and 92nd minutes. Nico Elvedi and captain Granit Xhaka were both sent off with a red card. Two red cards in the same game is a first for the national team in modern times.
Hard exclusion against Elvedi
In the end, the Swiss also had problems with the German referee Daniel Siebert. He had sent Elvedi off in the 52nd minute, although the VAR indicated that the Danish striker had committed a foul. And before the first goal was scored, the Swiss Embolo was lying injured on the ground. The Danes continued playing anyway – and promptly scored to take the lead.
Kobel as a fair loser
Swiss goalkeeper Gregor Kobel, who made his debut as the official number 1 and offered a solid performance, nevertheless proved to be a sporting loser. In an interview with SRF after the final whistle, he said: “There is no rule that would have forced the Danes to play the ball out.”
Without Elvedi and Xhaka against Spain
So a game that the Swiss had actually started strongly ended with a sobering 0:2. And with a suspended central defender and a suspended captain. Granit Xhaka and Nico Elvedi will now be missing from Swiss national coach Murat Yakin’s home game against Spain on Sunday. That is a heavy burden against the reigning European champions.
