World Cup qualification Switzerland drop points for the first time in Turkey

Switzerland were held to a 1-1 draw in Turkey and were unable to extend their lead in Group B2. It remains at three points. Ana-Maria Crnogorcevic scores the only Swiss goal.

After the 3-1 home win in the direct duel last Tuesday in Zurich, the Swiss struggled on the Turkish Black Sea coast. The first half, played in front of around 10,000 spectators, was devoid of any noteworthy goal-scene on either side and was characterized by a lot of piecemeal play in midfield.

Crnogorcevic scores after a long dry spell

Shortly after the break, however, the Swiss were able to celebrate. Almost out of nowhere, Ana-Maria Crnogorcevic moved into the middle and shot from the edge of the penalty area. The ball found its way into the net via the inside of the post. It was a remarkable moment for the record-breaking international: she ended a long drought with her 75th goal for the national team. Crnogorcevic's last goal for the national team came in a 3-0 win over Azerbaijan on July 16, 2024.

However, the lead did not last until the final whistle. In the 79th minute, Selen Altunkulak finished off a quick Turkish counter-attack to equalize at 1-1 and send the home crowd in Sinop into ecstasy. Although the Swiss tried to react once more and went on the attack, they were unable to create any more compelling scoring chances against the defensively solid hosts. Switzerland thus conceded points for the first time in this qualifying campaign, while the Turks were able to celebrate their first ever point against a Swiss side.

Advancement remains within reach

Despite the draw, Switzerland's starting position remains good. With ten points from four games, the team remains top of the table in qualifying Group 2 (League B) and keeps second-placed Turkey (7 points) at bay. Since the direct duel counts in the event of a tie - which Switzerland won thanks to their 3:1 victory in the first leg - group victory and the associated direct return to League A of the Nations League is virtually assured.

The final decision will be made in the remaining two matches: Switzerland will host Malta on June 5, before an away match against Northern Ireland on June 9 concludes the group stage.

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Sinop. - 10,000 spectators. - Refereed by Kulcsar (HUN). - Goals: 52nd Crnogorcevic 0:1. 79th Altunkulak 1:1.

Turkey: Akgöz; Keskin (46. Cin), Kücükbirinci, Karatas, Sakar (73. Kardesler); Topcu (86. Hiz), Icinözbebek (46. Civelek); Seker, Kaya, Altunkulak; Hancar (73. Öztürk).

Switzerland: Peng; Riesen (91. Piubel), Calligaris, Maritz, Crnogorcevic; Reuteler (80. Kamber), Wälti, Schertenleib; Beney (80. Wandeler), Csillag (73. Fölmli), Xhemaili.

Remarks: Cautions: 59. Seker.

Türkiye

Completed

1:1

(0:0)

Switzerland

•  
• Selen Altunkulak - 1:1 (79.)

• (52.) 0:1 - Ana-Maria Crnogorcevic
•  

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90.+5.

Switzerland make a great effort and get the ball into the opponent's penalty area, but the Turks clear everything away.

90.

stoppage time

Referee Katalin Kulcsar allows at least 6 minutes of added time.

88.

Switzerland have shifted up a gear but can hardly find any gaps in the Turkish bulwark.

84.

Can Switzerland turn up the heat in the final minutes and celebrate their fourth win in their fourth World Cup qualifying match?

79.

Goal for Turkey, 1:1 through Selen Altunkulak

Switzerland's passivity is now punished! Turkey win the ball in their own half of the pitch and Selen Altunkulak is sent on her way. She runs alone towards Peng on the left, lets her off and scores into the empty goal.

74.

Substitution Switzerland

Svenja Fölmli comes on for Aurélie Csillag.

73.

Double substitution Turkey

Kader Hancar and Fatma Sakar come off for Melike Öztürk and Vidan Kardesler.

71.

Turkey play a higher pressing game in the final minutes and put Switzerland under pressure deep in the Swiss half of the pitch. It is not yet really dangerous in front of Peng.

67.

The Swiss are making more mistakes in defense. However, the Turks are unable to capitalize on this.

64.

Out of nowhere, Turkey get a good finish. Altunkulak wins the ball around 25 meters from the Swiss goal and simply takes a shot. The ball flies just over Peng's goal.

59.

Busem Seker (Turkey) is shown a yellow card.

Busem Seker pulls Xhemaili to the ground and is shown a yellow card.

57.

Wälti accidentally hits the Turkish player Cin on the nose with his hand. Cin goes down and has to have her bloody nose treated.

52.

Goal for Switzerland, 0:1 through Ana-Maria Crnogorcevic

Now the ball is in! Ana-Maria Crnogorcevic makes her way down the left wing and moves towards the center. She then shoots right-footed from the edge of the penalty area and scores via the left post to give Switzerland the lead.

50.

First great chance! Crnogorcevic crosses from the left to the center. Csillag sails past the ball, with Beney lurking behind her at the right-hand post. She pulls her leg back as goalkeeper Akgöz rushes out. She misses the ball, but Beney is unable to capitalize and puts it next to the goal.

46.

Start of 2nd half

The 2nd half continues!

45.+2.

End of 1st half

0-0 after 45 minutes between Turkey and Switzerland.

45.

stoppage time

Referee Katalin Kulcsar allows at least 2 minutes of added time.

42.

Switzerland have a lot of possession, but don't seem to be as active as they were in the opening stages. The Turks are closing everything down in the center and not allowing passes into the deep.

37.

Switzerland's first shot on goal. Beney crosses from the right to the middle, where Schertenleib is completely free to head in. It is harmless and easy prey for Akgöz.

32.

Cansu pulls Wälti off his feet around 30 meters from his own goal. Schertenleib chips the ball into the penalty area but gets it straight back. But she can't do anything with it.

28.

Something like a shot on goal for the Turks. Wälti takes a shot from the second row, but the ball misses to the right of the goal.

24.

Schertenleib takes a free kick from the left half of the pitch. Akgöz storms out of her box and clears the ball and Riola Xhemaili away with her fists. Both remain dazed and have to be tended to on the pitch. The game continues for both.

23.

Schertenleib and Beney combine on the right wing and bring the ball into the center. Again it ends up with a Turkish player. Crnogorcevic tries to make a tackle but is unable to hold on to the ball.

20.

Crnogorcevic has plenty of space and time on the left wing, but fails to hit the ball with her cross - goal kick for Turkey.

16.

The opening furioso is over, but neither side has been really dangerous yet. Switzerland continue to dominate the game, but are struggling to get into their opponents' half of the pitch. Turkey are playing very defiantly.

10.

Turkey take the first corner on the right. This is played short, Altunkulak escapes Reuteler with a turn and tries it at the near post. Peng is alert and defuses the situation.

8.

Wälti plays the next pass into the deep, this time Beney starts. The Turkish goalkeeper Akgöz is on the ball before the Swiss player.

5.

Csillag is sent on her way for the first time. She chips the ball towards the middle, but there is still an opponent's leg in the way - corner kick. This is harmless.

4.

Hancar wins the ball on the halfway line and switches quickly. She is alone in the area and tries a shot from long range. The attempt is easy pickings for Peng.

2.

Switzerland immediately take control of the game and make their first attempt down the left. Crnogorcevic gets stuck, but gets a throw-in deep in the opponent's half of the pitch.

1.

Start of the game

The ball is rolling in Sinop!

0.

How Switzerland play

0.

Shortly before the start of the match

The players are on the pitch. After the national anthems, it's time to start!

0.

How the World Cup qualifying mode works

0.

Starting position

After last Tuesday's 3:1 win against their closest rivals Turkey, Switzerland have increased their lead to three points. Four days later, it's back to the direct duel. With another three points, almost nothing would stand in Switzerland's way of winning the group. Especially if Northern Ireland do not win in Malta in the other match, Switzerland would already be assured of winning the group. Will Rafel Navarro's team fulfill their duty?

0.

Hello ...

and welcome to the fourth matchday of the 2027 Women's World Cup qualifiers. Switzerland face Turkey away from home at the Sinop Sehir Stadium. The game kicks off at 18:00 and you can watch it live here!

90.+7.
End of 2nd half
90.+1.
Substitution in Switzerland
Seraina Piubel
Midfielder
90.+1.
Substitution out Switzerland
Nadine Riesen
Defender
86.
Substitution in Türkiye
Gülbin Hiz
Defender
86.
Substitution out Türkiye
Ebru Topçu
Midfielder
80.
Substitution in Switzerland
Lia Kamber
Midfielder
80.
Substitution out Switzerland
Géraldine Reuteler
Midfielder
80.
Substitution in Switzerland
Leila Wandeler
Striker
80.
Substitution out Switzerland
Iman Beney
Striker
79.
Goal for Türkiye, 1:1 through Selen Altunkulak
Selen Altunkulak
Midfielder
74.
Substitution in Türkiye
Melike Öztürk
Striker
74.
Substitution out Türkiye
Kader Hançar
Striker
74.
Substitution in Türkiye
Vildan Kardesler
Striker
74.
Substitution out Türkiye
Fatma Sakar
Defender
74.
Substitution in Switzerland
Svenja Fölmli
Striker
74.
Substitution out Switzerland
Aurélie Csillag
Striker
59.
Yellow card Türkiye
Busem Seker
52.
Goal for Switzerland, 0:1 through Ana-Maria Crnogorcevic
Ana-Maria Crnogorcevic
Defender
46.
Substitution in Türkiye
Ilayda Civelek
Defender
46.
Substitution out Türkiye
Basak Içinözbebek
Midfielder
46.
Substitution in Türkiye
Miray Cin
Midfielder
46.
Substitution out Türkiye
Elif Keskin
Defender
46.
Kick-off 2nd half
45.+2.
End of 1st half
1.
Start of the match