2:0 win against Iceland Reuteler and Pilgrim are the Swiss heroes in Bern

Switzerland celebrate an important 2:0 win against Iceland in their second European Championship group game in Bern. Géraldine Reuteler and Alayah Pilgrim score the goals in the final quarter of an hour.

Reuteler of all people, many of the almost 30,000 spectators in the Wankdorf probably thought. The Nidwalden native had been something of a tragic heroine last Wednesday in the 2-1 opening defeat against Norway. Once she had failed to score against the edge of the goal, then shortly before the end against the Norwegian goalkeeper.

Now, in the 76th minute, she kept her cool alone in front of goal and slotted in the acclaimed opening goal for Switzerland. It was her 15th goal in her 79th appearance for the national team. It was preceded by captain Lia Wälti winning the ball and a beautiful pass from Sydney Schertenleib, who had been promoted to the starting line-up.

In stoppage time, it was finally substitute Alayah Pilgrim who was responsible for the final score with a powerful shot from outside the penalty area. Just moments earlier, the AS Roma player had failed to beat the Icelandic goalkeeper.

All in all, it was a deserved victory for the Swiss side, who were able to step up their game in the closing stages. Until the opening goal, however, there were many signs of a draw. The Swiss had more possession, but the Icelanders had the more dangerous scenes.

Early Swiss opening goal disallowed by the VAR

Thorsteinn Halldorsson's team were denied twice by the edge of the goal. The first time after 45 seconds and one of Sveindis Jonsdottir's dreaded long throw-ins. The second shortly after half-time and a free-kick from Karolina Vilhjalmsdottir. At the other end of the pitch, Switzerland were also guilty of aluminum pitch. Substitute Leila Wandeler also failed to hit the crossbar ten minutes before the end.

The goal anthem sounded twice in the first half. The first time was in the 29th minute, when Svenja Fölmli headed in from 15 meters following a corner and captain Glodis Viggosdottir deflected the ball unstoppably into the net. However, as the Swiss player had previously blocked an opponent, referee Marta Huerta de Aza from Spain rescinded the goal after consulting the video images.

In stoppage time of the first half, the goal anthem sounded for the second time without changing the score. Iman Beney's drop-kick from around 30 meters narrowly missed the right side of the goal, but caused the net to shake, which briefly confused the stadium management. The Swiss fans were only allowed to cheer in the second half, but all the more exuberantly.

While the Icelanders were eliminated early after their second defeat, Switzerland will only need a draw in their final group match against Finland to reach the quarter-finals of a European Championship for the first time.

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Switzerland - Iceland 2:0 (0:0)

Bern. - 29'658 spectators. - SR Huerta de Aza (ESP). - Goals: 76 Reuteler 1:0. 90 Pilgrim 2:0.

Switzerland: Peng; Calligaris, Stierli (56. Crnogorcevic), Maritz; Beney, Reuteler, Wälti, Vallotto, Riesen (78. Pilgrim); Schertenleib, Fölmli (56. Wandeler).

Iceland: Runarsdottir; Arnadottir (34. Heidarsdottir), Viggosdottir, Sigurdardottir (81. Tryggvadottir), Arnardottir; Johannsdottir (81. Gunnlaugsdottir), Vilhjalmsdottir, Brynjarsdottir; Albertsdottir (67. Halldorsdottir), Jessen, Jonsdottir.

Remarks: Iceland without Antonsdottir (suspended). 80th shot on target from Wandeler. Cautions: 23rd Sigurdardottir. 25. Johannsdottir. 65th Vilhjalmsdottir.

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Switzerland - Iceland: The live ticker

Switzerland

Completed

2:0

(0:0)

Iceland

• Géraldine Reuteler - 1:0 (76.)
• Alayah Pilgrim - 2:0 (90.)

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29.
Goal for Switzerland does not count: Fölmli goal rescinded after VAR intervention
Fölmli nods home from a Vallotto corner to make it 1:0 for Switzerland. But did the Swiss player push her opponent before her header? The VAR intervenes and after a brief review, the decision is made: the goal does not count and Iceland are awarded a free kick.
0.
The line-up is here: national team coach Sundhage opts for Schertenleib
Captain Lia Wälti can also play in the crucial second European Championship match against Iceland. National team coach Pia Sundhage is relying on Sydney Schertenleib and Svenja Fölmli up front.
At the press conference on Saturday evening, it was already clear that Wälti would lead the team onto the pitch at the Wankdorf Stadium as captain in the all-important second group game. "Everyone is available, everyone is doing the final training session," Sundhage said. The knee complaints that made it impossible for the 32-year-old Arsenal midfielder to play in the dress rehearsal against the Czech Republic and were also an omnipresent topic before the opening game will not prevent Wälti from taking the reins in the center.
Sundhage makes two changes to the team compared to the opening game against Norway. Sydney Schertenleib and Svenja Fölmli are new to the starting eleven. They replace Noemi Ivelj and Riola Xhemaili and should form the forward duo. Géraldine Reuteler will most likely move back into midfield. In goal, Sundhage will continue to rely on the skills of Livia Peng.
0.
The countdown in the Wankdorf is on
0.
19.15: The Nati enter the Wankdorf pitch
The players have arrived at the stadium, enter the pitch for the first time and greet the supporters already present - including Géraldine Reuteler and Alisha Lehmann.
0.
0.
0.
0.
The Swiss team is under pressure
90.+4.
End of 2nd half
90.
Goal for Switzerland, 2:0 through Alayah Pilgrim (Leila Wandeler)
Alayah Pilgrim
Striker
Assist: Leila Wandeler
Striker
81.
Substitution in Iceland
Áslaug Munda Gunnlaugsdóttir
Defender
81.
Substitution out Iceland
Alexandra Jóhannsdóttir
Midfielder
81.
Substitution in Iceland
Katla Tryggvadóttir
Midfielder
81.
Substitution out Iceland
Ingibjörg Sigurdardóttir
Defender
78.
Substitution in Switzerland
Alayah Pilgrim
Striker
78.
Substitution out Switzerland
Nadine Riesen
Defender
76.
Goal for Switzerland, 1:0 through Géraldine Reuteler (Sydney Schertenleib)
Géraldine Reuteler
Midfielder
Assist: Sydney Schertenleib
Striker
67.
Substitution in Iceland
Hafrún Halldórsdóttir
Defender
67.
Substitution out Iceland
Agla María Albertsdóttir
Striker
65.
Yellow card Iceland
Karólína Lea Vilhjálmsdóttir
56.
Substitution in Switzerland
Leila Wandeler
Striker
56.
Substitution out Switzerland
Svenja Fölmli
Striker
56.
Substitution in Switzerland
Ana-Maria Crnogorcevic
Defender
56.
Substitution out Switzerland
Julia Stierli
Defender
45.+6.
End of 1st half
33.
Substitution in Iceland
Sædís Heiðarsdóttir
Defender
33.
Substitution out Iceland
Gudný Árnadóttir
Defender
25.
Yellow card Iceland
Alexandra Jóhannsdóttir
23.
Yellow card Iceland
Ingibjörg Sigurdardóttir
1.
Start of the match

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