Switzerland leave it late to bag all three points

Photo: Seferovic scored the winner for the Swiss in stoppage time – Switzerland defeated Ecuador 2-1.

Switzerland and Ecuador produced another thriller at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil with some exciting end to end football. The Europeans were made to work hard for everything but a late strike from Haris Seferovic ensured that La Nati started with a 2-1 victory.

It was the Ecuadorians who started brighter pressing forward winning an early corner and testing Swiss goalkeeper Diego Benaglio as early as the 4th minute. Walter Ayovi took the free kick but it was a routine save for the Wolfsburg keeper. Josip Drmic got a sight of goal on 12 minutes but he was closed down expertly after Gokhan Inler had played him in on goal.

The Swiss were controlling the game passing, probing and being patient but their efforts at goal went straight to goalkeeper Alexander Dominguez. Ecuador took the lead on 22 minutes thanks to Enner Valencia. Ayovi played in a great cross to find Valencia unmarked and he made no mistake from point blank range.

Switzerland took command of the midfield as Ecuador sat back and invited pressure from the Swiss. Stephan Lichtsteiner was released down the right but was closed down brilliantly by Ayovi in the 33rd minute. La Nati captain Inler then brought out an excellent save from Dominguez after his long range effort was tipped around the upright by the tall goalkeeper on 37 minutes.

There were no further chance in the half and Ecuador went into the dressing room with the lead. Ottmar Hitzfeld made a change at half time bringing on Admir Mehmedi for the ineffective Valentine Stocker. It paid dividends as Mehmedi found the back of the net on 47 minutes. Ricardo Rodriguez played in a great corner and it was met by Mehmedi who out-muscled his marker to head home.

The goal lifted star man Xherdan Shaqiri who then got more involved in the game. The Bayern man made a great run down the right getting passed two players but his cross was cut out at the last second in the 58th minute. Drmic then found the back of the net on 71 minutes but he was ruled off side by the assistant referee. It was now end to end stuff but the Swiss looked more controlled, coordinated and seemed more likely to score. Shaqiri and Mehmedi were taking over the game as Inler found his passing range to supply them. Rodriguez also provided a great outlet on the left providing an extra man in attack.

Benaglio showed great reflexes and reaction time to save a free kick from substitute Michael Arroyo on 86 minutes. The ball was struct well but it took a deflection however Benaglio had the presence of mind to change direction and timed his dive to perfection. Switzerland won the match with virtually the last kick of the game when substitute Seferovic converted Rodriguez’s cross into the roof of the net. The credit must be given to Valon Behrami who made a brilliant tackle in his own penalty area to deny Arroyo a shot at goal and he then set the move in motion. He drove through midfield and was taken down but he got up and continued after getting the advantage from the referee. He passed to Seferovic who chipped it wide to Rodriguez and charged into the penalty area. He made a timely burst to convert the cross beautifully by allowing the ball to come onto him and placed it into the roof of the net in added time. Hitzfeld was rewarded for making the changes and his boys didn’t disappoint.

It was a great game and ended with great excitement for the Swiss fans. Ecuador can count themselves unlucky but they pushed La Nati all the way. The Swiss has taken a step towards reaching the knock-out stages but will be watching to see how well the French play in their opening game.