World Cup: Switzerland come from behind to beat Serbia
Xhaka and Shaqiri's goals cancelled out Mitrovic's opener
Switzerland came from behind to beat Serbia 2-1 and, with one game to go, edge closer towards the last 16 of the World Cup in Russia. They took control of the game in second half with goals from Xhaka -- a spectacular long range effort -- and Shaqiri cancelling out Mitrovic's fifth minute opener.
SRB
1 ________________ 2
SUI
LINE UP
Serbia
Stojkovic, Ivanovic, Milenkovic, Tosic, Kolarov, Milivojenic (Radonjic, 81'), Matic, Tadic, Milinkovic-Savic, Kostic (Ljanic, 64') y Mitrovic.
Suiza
Sommer, Lichtsteiner, Schar, Akanji, Rodríguez, Behrami, Xhaka, Shaqiri (Drmic, 93'), Dzemaili (Embolo, 73'), Zuber y Seferovic (Gavranovic, 46').
Goles
1-0, min. 5. Mitrovic. 1-1, min. 52 Xhaka. 1-2, min. 90 Shaqiri.
Árbitro
Felix Brych (Alemania). Mostró tarjeta amarilla a: Milinkovic-Savic (33'), Milivojenic 39'), Matic (45'), Mitrovic (87') y Shaqiri (90').
Incidencias
Partido disputado en el estadio de Kaliningrado.
Serbia, who for large parts of the night looked set to book their place in the last 16, must now beat Brazil in their final game to avoid exiting the competition early. Brazil have still not qualified, either, but a draw will be enough for them to finish at least second in the group. No one will doubt that Switzerland will get three points against Costa Rica, who are now eliminated.
It was an exciting game which was finally won by the more competitive team. Serbia started well and Mitrovic gave them an early lead with a perfect header. Those early minutes proved to be Serbia's best spell and they could have increased their lead.
Switzerland didn't give up, though, and little by little they took control of the game, showing that they are a compact side who know how to compete. The comeback came after the break. Xhaka levelled the scores with a great effort from outside the box and then Shaqiri, the game's best player, sealed the win, applying the finishing touch to a perfect counter-attack. It was a deserved win which puts the Swiss within touching distance of the last 16.
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