Northern Ireland 0-1 Switzerland
Internationals at Windsor Park in Belfast under the floodlights are always special. Home expectations were high but Switzerland left with a crucial and controversial win.
At betting odds of 2.27 the Swiss were not nailed on, but they are a class side. Having won nine of their ten qualifying football games, the visitors were highly fancied, by football betting pundits, to go through to the World Cup finals and they’re half way there.
It was all set up for a big night as skipper Steven Davis picked up his 100th cap, and having had such a good European Championships last summer, the Irish fans are desperate to sample a World Cup for the first time in three decades. But it was not to be tonight. Switzerland is used to being at major tournaments and has quality running through its team, and they dominated the first half with 64 per cent possession as Xherdan Shaqiri and Granit Xhaka impressed.
But despite the Swiss’ dominance it was two moments of controversy which decided the game. As early as four minutes the visitors should have been down to ten men. Fabian Schar flew recklessly and dangerously in on Stuart Dallas and was very lucky to escape with a yellow card, and while the Irish were happy to go in at half time level, they should have had numerical advantage.
Then came the second moment of discussion and a crushing blow. When the goal came it was so, so cruel on Ireland. Corry Evans was struck by a Shaqiri volley, arguably on the shoulder, arguably outside the box, and the ref booked Evans and gave a penalty! Ricardo Rodriguez coolly slotted the penalty home.
Josh Magennis had Northern Ireland’s best chance on 74 minutes when he met a Chris Brunt cross but he glanced his header just wide.
The Belfast fans, with justification, can cry foul, but the best team won and is now in the prime seat to head to Russia.
It’s only half time though.
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Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
