FIFA World Cup 2018: Xherdan Shaqiri Steals Win For Switzerland Against Serbia

Switzerland played their second game of the tournament against Serbia in the FIFA World Cup 2018 in Russia. The two sides clashed in a crucial matchup for Group E on Friday.

The two European sides were coming from positive performances and this meeting was integral in how the standing will look like at the end of three games.

Serbia started from where they left off against Costa Rica and scored within the opening five minutes through Aleksandar Mitrovic. The team started the move with the similar fluidity. Dusan Tadic crossed the ball along the Swiss goal and it was met by Mitrovic who scored his first ever World Cup goal.

Once again in this tournament, Switzerland was trailing a side who had scored early on in the game. Coach Vladimir Petkovic needs to do something to put an end to this.

Meanwhile, the world no. 6 side in the world did what they are known to do. Attack with intent and fearlessness and put pressure on the defence. Serbia who is also physically gifted weren’t troubled initially but had to sit back once the waves of attacks intensified.

In the first half, however, they retained their lead. But, just like how Serbia scored early in the half, so did Switzerland. Granit Xhaka latched onto a loose ball outside the box and smacked it past everyone in the back of the net.  A phenomenal goal and a worthy equaliser. The game was set after this incident.

The tempo rose as Switzerland smelt blood and wanted to capitalise on their momentum, while Serbia was trying their best to strike back. Both teams were gunning down each other with ferocity in a mouth-watering football spectacle.

Once again referee made an error when it came to using the VAR. Mitrovic was fouled by two Switzerland players who fell down on the ground with him and still, the referee didn’t want to consult the technology.

Both coaches were making substitutions in hopes that with an injection of fresh energy maybe something can take place.

However, the break came finally in the 90th minute. Xherdan Shaqiri was given a through ball on the half-way line. The Swiss ran at Serbian defence with all his might to score the winner for his team. Switzerland had completed their comeback. The game was a perfect example of both teams going for the win and witnessing it only makes you love football even more.

With this result, Group E is poised quite interestingly, and it will go into the last game to see who will make it out of it and play in the Round of 16.