World Cup ticket almost secure Strong Swiss finish off Sweden

The Swiss national team has almost secured its World Cup ticket. Thanks to their 4:1 home win against Sweden, their first place in the group is now only theoretically up for grabs.

As in the first leg, it was a penalty that put the Swiss on course. And as in the first leg, it was Granit Xhaka who took responsibility in this important situation. The captain calmly slotted the ball into what he saw as the left corner - his 16th goal in his 142nd international match. With the goal to make it 2:1, the 33-year-old ensured that the atmosphere in the Stade de Genève reached new heights.

Xhaka had Breel Embolo to thank. The latter had sensed that substitute Gabriel Gudmundsson's back pass would come up short and won the ball. The rushing goalkeeper Viktor Johansson only touched the Swiss striker slightly, but just enough for the penalty decision to stand up to video review.

Contact or a swallow?This controversial penalty put the national team on course for victory

Embolo scores again

It was Embolo who scored the first goal of the evening. In the 12th minute, he outpaced his defenders and converted a pass from Dan Ndoye to take the lead for the first time. The 28-year-old added to his already impressive tally for the year. He now has seven goals in eight games. Embolo has now scored a total of 22 goals in a Swiss kit, leaving Stéphane Chapuisat as a big name behind him.

It could have been the start of another home gala, after Switzerland had already made the difference before the break against Kosovo (4-0) and Slovenia (3-0) in September. This time, however, the Swiss often lacked accuracy in attack.

Yet another goal conceded

As a consolation, the Swiss were able to state that they still had everything under control in defense. They stopped counter-attacks early on or easily cleared the Swedes' long balls. Then came the 33rd minute and, for once, a Swedish cross got through. Ricardo Rodriguez's header unfortunately landed in the feet of 24-year-old Nygren, who took the chance from close range.

After five games without conceding a goal, the Swiss were once again defeated. And at this point, they even began to wobble briefly. In any case, it was thanks to Gregor Kobel that they did not have to go into the break trailing. The Swiss goalie just managed to fend off a shot from the escaped Alexander Bernhardsson.

The strong Nati series breaksKobel defeated again after 497 minutes without conceding a goal

A wake-up call that had an effect. In the second half, the Swiss looked more determined again and looked to take the lead once more. When they succeeded, it was just like in the first leg: the Swedes produced very little. And so Dan Ndoye made everything clear in the 75th minute. The Nottingham international scored with a powerful shot to give his side a reassuring two-goal lead. The final goal was scored by Johan Manzambi in stoppage time - just like in Stockholm.

To Pristina without stress

The Swiss celebrated their fourth victory in the fifth game of the World Cup qualifiers in style - even though the final qualification is still pending. With the away win in Slovenia, Kosovo remain three points behind Switzerland. Nevertheless, Switzerland can look forward to Tuesday's head-to-head in Pristina with confidence. In order to lose first place, Switzerland would have to lose 6-0.

Switzerland's last opponentKosovo at least in the playoffs

Although the World Cup ticket is not yet secure, the trip to North America can already be entered in the diary.

Telegram and table:

Switzerland - Sweden 4:1 (1:1)

Geneva. - SR Lambrechts (BEL). - Goals: 12 Embolo 1:0. 33 Nygren 1:1. 60 Xhaka (penalty) 2:1. 75 Ndoye 3:1. 94 Manzambi 4:1.

Switzerland: Kobel; Widmer, Elvedi, Akanji, Rodriguez (70. Muheim); Aebischer, Xhaka; Vargas (85. Fassnacht), Rieder (70. Sow), Ndoye (90. Zeqiri); Embolo (85. Manzambi).

Sweden: Johansson; Holm (50. Gudmundsson), Lagerbielke, Hien, Svensson; Bernhardsson (78. Lidberg), Karlström, Ayari (63. Zeneli), Elanga (78. Forsberg); Nygren, Svanberg (62. Isak).

Remarks: Switzerland without Jaquez and Bajrami (supernumerary). Cautions: 19 Ayari, 36 Ndoye. 51st Karlström. 58. Johansson. 92nd Forsberg.

Switzerland

Completed

4:1

(1:1)

Sweden

• Breel Embolo - 1:0 (13.)
•  
• Granit Xhaka - 2:1 (60.)
• Dan Ndoye - 3:1 (75.)
• Johan Manzambi - 4:1 (90.+4.)

•  
• (33.) 1:1 - Benjamin Nygren
•  
•  
•  

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0.
The starting eleven against Sweden
The question of a replacement for the injured Remo Freuler has been answered: Coach Murat Yakin has selected Michel Aebischer in defensive midfield for the home game against Sweden.
Aebischer beat off competition from other candidates such as Djibril Sow, Simon Sohm and Johan Manzambi. The Pisa international, who played an important role at the European Championship in Germany, will lead the line alongside captain Granit Xhaka.
Apart from that, Yakin has made no other changes compared to the start of qualifying. Gregor Kobel will be in goal, with Silvan Widmer, Nico Elvedi, Manuel Akanji and Ricardo Rodriguez forming the back four. Behind striker Breel Embolo, the back three of Dan Ndoye, Fabian Rieder and Ruben Vargas will once again provide a threat.
How the Swedes play
It is noticeable that star striker Alexander Isak will initially be on the bench for Sweden. The Liverpool player has been struggling recently and is apparently not yet fit enough to start.
0.
"Sweden coach Potter has a bigger headache than Yakin"
0.
Starting position
If the Swiss pick up more points against Sweden in Geneva than Kosovo in the parallel match in Ljubljana, they will be guaranteed a ticket to the 2026 World Cup. Otherwise it would be a showdown in Pristina on Tuesday.
Find out more about the possible scenarios here.
0.
Yakin keeps a low profile ahead of the match against Sweden
In the Swiss national team, the central question ahead of the clash with Sweden concerns the line-up in defensive midfield. National coach Murat Yakin talks about his options.
0.
Akanji on the Swedes: "They will come here and step on the gas"
0.
Michel Aebischer back in the national team: "I hope to be in the starting eleven"
0.
Manzambi: "I was very happy when I found out that I could play in Geneva"
90.+6.
End of 2nd half
90.+4.
Goal for Switzerland, 4:1 through Johan Manzambi
Johan Manzambi
Midfielder
90.+3.
Yellow card Sweden
Emil Forsberg
90.
Substitution in Switzerland

Andi Zeqiri
Striker
90.
Substitution out Switzerland

Dan Ndoye
Striker
85.
Substitution in Switzerland
Johan Manzambi
Midfielder
85.
Substitution out Switzerland

Breel Embolo
Striker
85.
Substitution in Switzerland

Christian Fassnacht
Striker
85.
Substitution out Switzerland

Ruben Vargas
Striker
78.
Substitution in Sweden

Emil Forsberg
Midfielder
78.
Substitution out Sweden

Anthony Elanga
Midfielder
78.
Substitution in Sweden

Isac Lidberg
Striker
78.
Substitution out Sweden
Alexander Bernhardsson
Midfielder
75.
Goal for Switzerland, 3:1 through Dan Ndoye (Ruben Vargas)

Dan Ndoye
Striker

Assist: Ruben Vargas
Striker
70.
Substitution in Switzerland

Djibril Sow
Midfielder
70.
Substitution out Switzerland

Fabian Rieder
Midfielder
70.
Substitution in Switzerland
Miro Muheim
Defender
70.
Substitution out Switzerland

Ricardo Rodríguez
Defender
63.
Substitution in Sweden

Alexander Isak
Striker
63.
Substitution out Sweden

Mattias Svanberg
Striker
63.
Substitution in Sweden
Besfort Zeneli
Midfielder
63.
Substitution out Sweden

Yasin Ayari
Midfielder
60.
Goal for Switzerland, 2:1 through penalties from Granit Xhaka

Granit Xhaka
Midfielder
58.
Yellow card Sweden
Viktor Johansson
51.
Yellow card Sweden
Jesper Karlström
50.
Substitution in Sweden

Gabriel Gudmundsson
Defender
50.
Substitution out Sweden

Emil Holm
Defender
46.
Kick-off 2nd half
45.+2.
End of 1st half
36.
Yellow card Switzerland
Dan Ndoye
33.
Goal for Sweden, 1:1 through Benjamin Nygren

Benjamin Nygren
Striker
18.
Yellow card Sweden
Yasin Ayari
13.
Goal for Switzerland, 1:0 through Breel Embolo (Dan Ndoye)

Breel Embolo
Striker

Assist: Dan Ndoye
Striker
1.
Start of the match