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Great jubilation among the Swiss national team after the 1:0 goal against Northern Ireland.
KEYSTONE
The Swiss women's national team completes the first part of the World Cup qualifiers with another victory. A 2:1 win in Northern Ireland improves the starting position for the World Cup play-offs.
Although first place in Group 2 of League B was out of reach for the Swiss ahead of the sixth and final match of this first phase of World Cup qualifying, the fifth victory was nevertheless important. They have thus improved their starting position for the next qualifying matches and can start the World Cup play-offs in the autumn as the best group winners with a more favorable constellation.
As announced, national coach Rafel Navarro made several changes to the starting eleven for the game in Lurgan, just 30 km south-west of the Northern Irish capital Belfast, compared to the 6:1 gala in Lugano against Malta. In addition to Aurélie Csillag (for personal reasons), the injured Sydney Schertenleib and Riola Xhemaili were missing in attack, meaning that three of last Friday's goalscorers were also absent. Elvira Herzog replaced Livia Peng in goal for the second time under Navarro.
Despite the numerous changes, the Swiss largely controlled the game against the world number 50 on a deep pitch due to the rain. Thanks to goals from Géraldine Reuteler (29) and Smilla Vallotto (41), the visitors went into the break with a deserved 2:0 lead. In the second half, Switzerland struggled for long stretches and their performance seemed tough at times. After Northern Ireland scored a late goal in the 85th minute through international debutant Emily Cassap, who had just come on as a substitute, the game became unnecessarily hectic. However, the Swiss women managed to hold on for the win.
After returning directly to League A of the Nations League, the road to the 2027 World Cup in Brazil is still challenging for Switzerland. Although as the best group winners in League B they avoid a possible trip to the intercontinental play-offs and avoid a League A opponent in the first play-off round in October, tough opponents could await them thereafter in the form of European champions England, Sweden or Norway. The draw for all playoff duels will take place on June 18.
