First Half

Serbia took on Switzerland at the Kaliningrad Stadium in the second week of the World Cup 2018 Russia.

Both teams were battling out in Group E for second place after Brazil topped the opening stages, qualifying for the next round.

From the get-go, Serbia were in the game pushing forward into the Swiss half.

Dusan Tadic’s link-up play with Sergej Milinkovic-Savic got Aleksandar Mitrovic his first attempt in the box.

The Fulham forward was criticised in his previous game for missing a handful of chances for his national team.

GOAL – Aleksandar Mitrovic – 5th Minute – Serbia 1-0 Switzerland

Just a minute later, Mitrovic managed to get his first goal of the tournament with another header going past Yann Sommer in the fifth minute.

Surely it looked like Switzerland were going to be eliminated from the World Cup as the Balkans kept pressing rigorously.

The Swiss had a couple of solid chances in the first half with Blerim Dzemaili not delivering in front of goal.

Were it not for Xherdan Shaqiri, there would be no momentum in the visitor’s attack.

The first half ended 1-0 to Serbia.

Second Half

Switzerland looked to find redemption in the latter stages in the game having looked the weaker side throughout the evening.

Shaqiri’s effort up front for the Rossocrociati was looking ever present as the Swiss looked closer and closer to scoring.

GOAL – Granit Xhaka – 53rd Minute – Serbia 1-1 Switzerland

In the 53rd minute, Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka provided the the equaliser with an excellent effort from outside of the box.

The 25-year-old smashed in a curler from 25-yards out shocking the Serbian defence.

By this point, the visitors looked like they had the upper hand as Shaqiri switched wings and made convincing runs into the opposition’s half.

The Stoke winger came close to making a breakthrough moments later after and astronomical curler in the box smacked the Serbian post.

In order to bolster their attack, the Swiss brought on young Breel Embolo as the visitor’s fluidity increased drastically.

GOAL – Xherdan Shaqiri – 90th Minute – Serbia 1-2 Switzerland

In the Dying minutes of the game, the Swiss make a breakthrough as Shaqiri dashed through the Serbian half to score a impressive solo goal.

In an added four minutes of stoppage time, the rain couldn’t save the Serbs from bitter disappointment.

It now looks certain that Switzerland and Brazil have gone through to the next round.

 

Source of Image: @FIFAWorldCup (Twitter)

 

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