Thursday, March 28, 2024 | Ramadan 17, 1445 H
broken clouds
weather
OMAN
23°C / 23°C
EDITOR IN CHIEF- ABDULLAH BIN SALIM AL SHUEILI

Swiss size up Sweden after thrilling draw

1376485
1376485
minus
plus

NIZNHY NOVGOROD: Switzerland set aside political controversy and Costa Rica broke their World Cup duck in a pulsating 2-2 draw on Wednesday that saw the Europeans into the next round against Sweden.


Pre-match attention had focused on Granit Xhaka and Xherdan Shaqiri’s “eagle” celebrations in their last game in honour of their Albanian roots, while Costa Rica had taken flak at home for failing to score at the tournament.


Yet this time, the Swiss kept their focus purely on the game to keep the already-eliminated but still lively Central Americans at bay and ensure passage from Group E.


After withstanding early pressure, the Swiss took a 31st minute lead against the run of play when forward Blerim Dzemaili blasted past Costa Rica goalkeeper Keylor Navas from close range following a nod down from Breel Embolo.


Costa Rica had twice hit the woodwork in a frustrating opening 15 minutes of missed chances, but finally scored their first goal in Russia when defender Kendall Waston powered home Joel Campbell’s corner in the 56th minute. That triggered mass celebrations like they had won the trophy, as players mobbed coach Oscar Ramirez who has been facing stinging personal criticism in Costa Rica.


In a frenetic finale, substitute Josip Drmic restored Switzerland’s lead when he drilled home in the 88th minute, before Costa Rica captain Bryan Ruiz’s stoppage time penalty struck the bar and went in off goalkeeper Yann Sommer’s back for an own goal and 2-2 draw. In between those two late strikes, Costa Rica appeared to have won another penalty before it was ruled out for offside by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system.


WARY OF SWEDISH SPIRIT


“We’re happy, we made it to the last 16. But we’re still going to speak among us about how we’re starting games,” goalkeeper Sommer said of Switzerland’s timid opening. “The Swedes will be a big challenge. They have a strong collective — all the players are there for each other. We have to do the same. We have to be ready, unlike today.” Amid their celebrations, there was a sour note for the Swiss, as both captain Stephan Lichtsteiner and Fabian Schar took second yellow cards, meaning they will miss the knockout clash with Sweden on Tuesday in St Petersburg.


— AFP


SHARE ARTICLE
arrow up
home icon