Switzerland 2-2 Costa Rica: Swiss Through

Switzerland needed a point to qualify after the late winner against Serbia in the last game while Costa Rica is already disqualified but want to take something back with them home.

This did not hinder Costa Rica’s effort on goal when in the 6^th minute Bryan Oviedo crossed the ball to allow Celso Borges’ header to be brilliantly saved by the Swiss goalkeeper Yann Sommer; tipping the ball onto the post.

Costa Rica once again hit the post after Sommer pushed Cristian Gamboa’s shot onto the post with his fingertips in the 6^th minute.

In the 10^th minute Swiss talisman Xherdan Shaqiri was dispossessed by Daniel Colindres whose shot hit the inside of the bar but unluckily did not crosse the line.

Switzerland knew they needed a point but scored instead in the 31^st minute when Breel Embolo headered the ball down for Blerim Dzemaili to blast into the centre of the box.

The Swiss captain Stephan Lichtsteiner was shown the yellow card in the 37^th minute which means due to receiving a yellow card in the last game he will miss out the next game.

The first half ended with Costa Rica almost going ahead but Switzerland manages to grab the goal.

While in Moscow, Brazil was leading Serbia in the first half which gave the Swiss more breathing space.

11 minutes into the second half, Costa Rica responded with their first goal of the tournament when Joel Campbell’s cross allowed Kendall Watson to head past the goalkeeper in the 56^th minute.

This time it was the Swiss to hit the bar when Josip Drmic’s header hit the goal frame in the 78^th minute.

However, Drmic managed to score after a low cross by Denis Zakaria reached him inside the box to slot the ball past Real Madrid’s Keylor Navas in the 88^th minute.

Fortunately, Costa Rica could go home with a point after Denis Zakaria fouled Joel Campbell to concede a penalty in extra time.

Bryan Ruiz hit the bar but the ball rebounded off the Swiss goalkeeper Sommer to go in.

The game ended Switzerland 2-2 Costa Rica which was what Switzerland needed but Serbia loss to Brazil therefore even if Switzerland loss they will still progress to the last 16.

It will be Switzerland versus Sweden in the knockout stage.

Source of Image: BBC