Switzerland made a big splash on Monday evening by qualifying directly for the 2022 World Cup. On home soil, the Swiss team was too strong for Bulgaria 4-0. With this, the team of national coach Murat Yakin took advantage of Italy’s slip to the maximum. Azure Failed to win visit to Northern Ireland: 0-0. And so Switzerland ends up by two points compared to the Italians, who have to play the play-off matches, at the top of Group C.
Northern Ireland – Italy 0-0
The European Champion was the parent title holder for ninety minutes. However, Italy failed to make a breakthrough. In the eighth minute of play, Giovanni Di Lorenzo had the first chance to match. After a pass from Lorenzo Insigne, the right-back pulled away, but goalkeeper Bailey Peacock-Farrell tapped the ball from the corner. Then there was a dead end and it took over ten minutes before the break before noticing the next serious opportunity. Federico Chiesa and Insigne, among others, delivered pokes before the break, although neither attempt resulted in a goal.
Switzerland forward! ?? Noah Okafor’s vision heading into the 1-0 match against Bulgaria?? Sweating for Italians who now have to play virtual playoffs…??# Zygo Sport #WCQ2022 # miscellaneous pic.twitter.com/HsHRRaDA56
– Ziggo Sport Football (@ZS_Voetbal) November 15 2021
In the second chapter slightly changed the image of the game. Italy was emphatically looking for the decisive target, while Northern Ireland was excellently organized in defence. Five minutes into the second half, the guests were shocked when goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma had to stretch to thwart George Savile’s attempt. After more than an hour of play, Chiesa came close on the other side of the goal after a Domenico Berardi pass. But the Juventus striker put the ball off the left post. Italy will not score again.
Switzerland – Bulgaria 4-0
Although Switzerland showed their opponents all over the field in the first term, no goal was scored. At the end of the first half, Noah Okafor had the best chance of ending the status quo, but the striker hit the crossbar. In the second half, the Swiss managed to turn the high percentage of possession and the large number of chances into goals. Okafor scored the opening goal in the 48th minute. Xherdan Shaqiri reached the baseline and got a cross calculated at home to Okafor, who easily and freely nodded from close range: 1-0.
Switzerland can’t be beat! ?? Remo Froeller also takes his goal: 4-0 against Bulgaria and qualified for the World Cup?? Italy should settle for the play-off matches.# Zygo Sport #WCQ2022 # miscellaneous pic.twitter.com/k0HfioPaaW
– Ziggo Sport Football (@ZS_Voetbal) November 15 2021
This was the dam wall for the Swiss. After an hour of play, Robin Vargas doubled the lead. After a beautiful combination of football with Mario Gavranovic, Vargas recovered the ball in the sixteen-meter area. He did not think twice and hit the goal in the short corner with a devastating shot: 2-0. Then two Swiss strikes were blocked. First, Gavranovic scored from an offside position, and six minutes later it was Cedric Itten who saw his goal disallowed for offside. The latter made the score 3-0 in the 72nd minute. Itten recovered the ball after a combination of Renato Steffen, and then headed the ball. The last chord was played in injury time by Remo Freuler.
