FIFA World Cup: Switzerland reach Round of 16 after thrilling win over Serbia
Switzerland booked a spot in the last 16 after beating Serbia 3-2 in the other Group G clash of the day at Stadium 974 - Ras Abu Aboud
Remo Freuler nets the eventual winner for the Swiss side.Xherdan Shaqiri in the 20th minute, Breel Embolo in the 44th minute and Remo Freuler in the 48th minute were the goalscorers for Switzerland. In contrast, Aleksandar Mitrovic scored for Serbia in the 26th minute and Dusan Vlahovic in the 35th minute.
The victory over Serbia in the goal-filled clash means Switzerland have booked a spot in the knockout stage of the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Neither side failed to emerge as the clear dominant side in the first half of the match. However, the Swiss squad took complete control of the game after half-time.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">⌚️FT:<br>🇨🇲 Cameroon 1-0 Brazil <br><br>🇷🇸 Serbia 2-3 Switzerland 🇨🇭 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FIFAWorldCup?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FIFAWorldCup</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Qatar2022?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Qatar2022</a> <br><br>📸: PressFocus/MB Media/Soccrates Images (Getty Images) <a href="https://t.co/EidYpHPOeO">pic.twitter.com/EidYpHPOeO</a></p>— Sports Brief (@sportsbriefcom) <a href="https://twitter.com/sportsbriefcom/status/1598799516186157070?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 2, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Tensions increased as Mitrovic requested a penalty, saying Fabian Schar had pulled him down. The referee disagreed, and as a result, substitutes spilt onto the field for a quick fight.
A few would enter to change the tide. Still, the Swiss quickly switched to shut-down mode with the finish in sight, surviving seven minutes of stoppage time - including yet another tense argument between the two sides - to secure their place in the knockout rounds.
It is the first time in four World Cup appearances of Serbia that they have finished the group stage without even a single win.
Switzerland became the only European team alongside France to advance to the knockouts in their previous five major tournaments.
Brazil will lock horns with South Korea in the knockout clash on December 6, while Switzerland will face Portugal on December 7.