Switzerland do their job in Pristina, drawing 1-1 and thus qualifying for the 2026 World Cup finals with confidence. The Nati players in the individual critique.
Goal
Gregor Kobel
Confident, with a calm, assured presence - and no chance of conceding a goal. Only had to make two saves in 6 qualifying matches, what a value!
Defense
Silvan Widmer
Causes a controversial scene in the Kosovar penalty area when he is hit by an opponent. He struggles a lot defensively, but lacks a bit of strength at the end.
Defense
Manuel Akanji
The boss in the center of defence radiates calmness as if he were the Zen master himself. He and his colleagues have little trouble keeping the Kosovan strikers out of the penalty area for long periods.
Defense
Nico Elvedi
Does his aide-de-camp job alongside Akanji with aplomb and hardly loses a duel. Then the Nati fans' hearts stopped when he almost scored an own goal (84').
Defense
Ricardo Rodriguez
The 2009 U17 World Cup winner played his 90 minutes with the calmness of a 33-year-old veteran.
Midfield
Djibril Sow
He came into the starting eleven for Fabian Rieder. Played calmly and solidly - and then set up Vargas' 1-0 wonderfully. Otherwise an unremarkable game.
Midfield
Granit Xhaka
He is first met with whistles. Well, he doesn't let it bother him, holds and distributes the ball, keeps his cool. When he is substituted, the Kosovars give him a standing ovation.
Midfield
Michel Aebischer
Good chance (6th) when he tries to beat the goalkeeper with a lob. An impeccable performance from him, good at plugging holes.
Midfield
Ruben Vargas
He struggles to get into the game at first and is not so successful with his pacey dribbles. And then he makes it 1:0 in the 47th minute - his 11th international goal
Midfield
Johan Manzambi
A header (19th) and defensively diligent, in the service of the team. In the 55th minute with a sensational run, where he dribbles through and almost scores the 2:0. But otherwise pale.
Sturm
Breel Embolo
A stunner with the first Swiss chance, when he broke through and then served Aebischer (6th). The defenders can hardly contain him in this form. Less incisive after the break.
Substitute players
Midfield
Fabian Rieder
Came on for Vargas in the 69th minute. Loses the ball before the 1:1 with a stupid mistake.
Midfield
Simon Sohm
Came on for Xhaka in the 76th minute. Too short for a rating.
Midfield
Christian Fassnacht
Came on for Sow in the 89th minute. Too short for a rating.
Defender
Isaac Schmidt
Came on for Widmer in the 76th minute. Too short for a rating.
Striker
Andi Zeqiri
Comes on for Embolo in the 69th minute. Too short for a rating.
