Game 4: Serbia 1 Switzerland 2
Group E, Game 4: Serbia 1 Switzerland 2
Kaliningrad, 1900, 22/6/18
Tadić Watch v.2 - or There - and Back Again!
Brazil's win had put them top of Group E and Switzerland were now under pressure to get something from this match. Defeat would send Serbia through so that was not an option the Swiss could allow. The Swiss kept their side unaltered but Serbia brought in Kostic wide left.
Serbia wore their red kit and Switzerland white. Apparently, Lichsteiner (a player I've always liked) is going to Arsenal and tonight was playing his 9th WC finals match – a Swiss record. The ref was German, the stadium pundit Kilbane - who is better than most.
The first few minutes told us nothing. Xhaka put a long-range punt into the crowd. Dusan Tadic was again deployed down Serbia's right and was having another good match. He created their first chance, setting up Mitrovic who drew a save from Sommer. His next cross was right on the money, registering another assist as Mitrovic's header flew in. 1-0 Serbia.
Switzerland struggled to get into the game and it was 10m before the industrious Rodriguez set up Dzemaili to shoot wide. Schar was being brutally bullied by Mitrovic every time the ball came near them. The young Dortmund defender, Akanji, had his measure but the Serb avoided his attention wherever possible.
On 26m Rodriguez bombed down the left and I was shocked to see Tadic back making a saving tackle. Note to SFC: do NOT sell Tadic. There is a proper player in there. Play was halted by an injury to Milivojevic but the Palace star was able to carry on after treatment.
The Swiss ought to have equalised on the half hour. Zuber turned a neat ball into Djemaili but he allowed Stojkoviv to whip the ball off his toe. Milinkovic Savic earned the first yellow for a high boot. He was having a quieter game but Serbia remained a constant threat. Schar had resorted to fouling Milosevic at every opportunity and one Kolorov free-kick found Tadic, who drew a decent save from Sommer.
Tadic remained Serbia's most potent weapon. One weaving run ended with an over hit cross but his next presented Tosic with a free header in front of goal – which he completely missed. In the 2 added minutes, Mitrovic laid the ball back to Tadic who fired over. As the Swiss broke Matic earned a routine card for holding. HT and Serbia still 1-0.
The 2nd half was played at a better pace. Again, Serbia retained a threat with Tadic, Savic and Mitrovic working a good opening. Then, on 52m, the Swiss got forward in numbers. The ball went left to right where Shaqiri's thunderous shot was blocked. The spinning ball rebounded into the path of Xhaka and the Arsenal man hit a beautiful long-range effort that rocketed past Stojkovic. 1-1 and, very much, game on.
I then noticed Gavranovic had come on instead of the ineffective Seferovic – yes, they are both Swiss despite the names. Switzerland were lifted by their goal and they almost went ahead on 58m. Shaqiri's audacious turn and shot rattled the goal frame as it flew past.
Serbia reverted to their first match line-up when Ljajic replaced Kostic. They could have had a penalty when 2 defenders wrestled Mitrovic to the ground but neither the real nor VAR refs seemed interested. Moments later Kolorov hit a delicious ball across the box but no-one got on the end of it.
Djemaili was replaced by Embolo who gave them greater mobility. Gavranovic missed a great chance, set up by Shaqiri, but was rightly flagged offside. The last 15m were as good as I've seen this World Cup. Both teams knew the value of the win and were not going to settle for the draw. Radonjic replaced Milivojevic but the Swiss were gaining the upper hand. Embolo had his shot saved and Shaqiri fired over from range. Then Matic fouled him and Rodriuez's free kick bounced off the wall for a corner.
Suddenly Serbia broke upfield but Switzerland were rescued by Akaji's outstanding tackle. On 90m Switzerland played out from their own box. Shaqiri ran from his own half onto the forward pass and Tosic was slow to react. Shaqiri is no sprinter but used his body to keep the defender at bay on his run into the area. As Stojkovic went to ground he slid the ball past him. 2-1 Switzerland – and Shaqiri was booked for exposing his muscle-bound torso.
Die Nati fans went mad and heavy rain began to fall. The 6 added minutes came and went, then the Swiss players joined the celebrations. Fantastic match – Switzerland have lost just once (to the European Champs Portugal) in living memory and this performance shows why they rank so highly on the FIFA list. It was sad for Serbia. Tadic and Co had one foot in the last 16 for an hour tonight. Now they need to beat Brazil to qualify.
Kaliningrad, 1900, 22/6/18
Tadić Watch v.2 - or There - and Back Again!
Brazil's win had put them top of Group E and Switzerland were now under pressure to get something from this match. Defeat would send Serbia through so that was not an option the Swiss could allow. The Swiss kept their side unaltered but Serbia brought in Kostic wide left.
Serbia wore their red kit and Switzerland white. Apparently, Lichsteiner (a player I've always liked) is going to Arsenal and tonight was playing his 9th WC finals match – a Swiss record. The ref was German, the stadium pundit Kilbane - who is better than most.
The first few minutes told us nothing. Xhaka put a long-range punt into the crowd. Dusan Tadic was again deployed down Serbia's right and was having another good match. He created their first chance, setting up Mitrovic who drew a save from Sommer. His next cross was right on the money, registering another assist as Mitrovic's header flew in. 1-0 Serbia.
Switzerland struggled to get into the game and it was 10m before the industrious Rodriguez set up Dzemaili to shoot wide. Schar was being brutally bullied by Mitrovic every time the ball came near them. The young Dortmund defender, Akanji, had his measure but the Serb avoided his attention wherever possible.
On 26m Rodriguez bombed down the left and I was shocked to see Tadic back making a saving tackle. Note to SFC: do NOT sell Tadic. There is a proper player in there. Play was halted by an injury to Milivojevic but the Palace star was able to carry on after treatment.
The Swiss ought to have equalised on the half hour. Zuber turned a neat ball into Djemaili but he allowed Stojkoviv to whip the ball off his toe. Milinkovic Savic earned the first yellow for a high boot. He was having a quieter game but Serbia remained a constant threat. Schar had resorted to fouling Milosevic at every opportunity and one Kolorov free-kick found Tadic, who drew a decent save from Sommer.
Tadic remained Serbia's most potent weapon. One weaving run ended with an over hit cross but his next presented Tosic with a free header in front of goal – which he completely missed. In the 2 added minutes, Mitrovic laid the ball back to Tadic who fired over. As the Swiss broke Matic earned a routine card for holding. HT and Serbia still 1-0.
The 2nd half was played at a better pace. Again, Serbia retained a threat with Tadic, Savic and Mitrovic working a good opening. Then, on 52m, the Swiss got forward in numbers. The ball went left to right where Shaqiri's thunderous shot was blocked. The spinning ball rebounded into the path of Xhaka and the Arsenal man hit a beautiful long-range effort that rocketed past Stojkovic. 1-1 and, very much, game on.
I then noticed Gavranovic had come on instead of the ineffective Seferovic – yes, they are both Swiss despite the names. Switzerland were lifted by their goal and they almost went ahead on 58m. Shaqiri's audacious turn and shot rattled the goal frame as it flew past.
Serbia reverted to their first match line-up when Ljajic replaced Kostic. They could have had a penalty when 2 defenders wrestled Mitrovic to the ground but neither the real nor VAR refs seemed interested. Moments later Kolorov hit a delicious ball across the box but no-one got on the end of it.
Djemaili was replaced by Embolo who gave them greater mobility. Gavranovic missed a great chance, set up by Shaqiri, but was rightly flagged offside. The last 15m were as good as I've seen this World Cup. Both teams knew the value of the win and were not going to settle for the draw. Radonjic replaced Milivojevic but the Swiss were gaining the upper hand. Embolo had his shot saved and Shaqiri fired over from range. Then Matic fouled him and Rodriuez's free kick bounced off the wall for a corner.
Suddenly Serbia broke upfield but Switzerland were rescued by Akaji's outstanding tackle. On 90m Switzerland played out from their own box. Shaqiri ran from his own half onto the forward pass and Tosic was slow to react. Shaqiri is no sprinter but used his body to keep the defender at bay on his run into the area. As Stojkovic went to ground he slid the ball past him. 2-1 Switzerland – and Shaqiri was booked for exposing his muscle-bound torso.
Die Nati fans went mad and heavy rain began to fall. The 6 added minutes came and went, then the Swiss players joined the celebrations. Fantastic match – Switzerland have lost just once (to the European Champs Portugal) in living memory and this performance shows why they rank so highly on the FIFA list. It was sad for Serbia. Tadic and Co had one foot in the last 16 for an hour tonight. Now they need to beat Brazil to qualify.
