Italy 1-1 Switzerland
Watching World Cup: Italy vs Switzerland is a fine way to spend a Friday night and we saw a pretty good game between these two teams, locked at the top of Group C.
Having failed to qualify for the World Cup in 2018 the Azzurri fans were desperate to make sure they confirmed their place at Qatar 2022, but when Jorginho had a late chance to win it from the penalty spot, he missed spectacularly.
Both teams had the chance to take control of qualifying Group C and the Italy vs Switzerland highlights were packed with action in a first half initially dominated by the Swiss before Italy fought back. And when the Azzurri were awarded a late penalty it looked like they would grab all three points; but Murat Yakin’s Switzerland escaped with one.
Italy are still in pole position. With just a game to go both teams have 15 points but the Azzurri have the better goal difference.
Highlights of the game
Juventus’ centre back Leonardo Bonucci returned from suspension to lead the Azzurri in tonight’s game. I Bianconeri have been struggling in Serie A, scraping a victory against Fiorentina last week to end a run of three winless games. But Roberto Mancini had no hesitation in bringing the warhorse back into the side with the captain’s armband.
But the way Switzerland came out of the blocks there was little Bonucci or his defence could do to hold them at bay. The Swiss knocked the ball around with ease and when they breached the Azzurri defence it was a sublime goal. Noah Okafor pulled the ball back from the left wing bi-line for Silvan Widmer to run onto the ball and hit a rocket beyond Gigi Donnarumma and into the top left corner for his second international goal. The keeper got a finger-tip to it but the ball was hit so sweetly and accurately that he had no way of keeping it out.
Switzerland were right up for this game and they had silenced the raucous crowd at the Stadio Olimpico, and the visitors came close again when Okafor whistled a shot just wide of the upright. Then, at the other end of the pitch Yann Sommer made a brilliant save to deny Nicola Barella after a ricochet landed at his feet just six yards out. The Inter Milan man and everyone in the stadium expected the net to bulge but Sommer pulled off a brilliant reaction stop. And the Swiss keeper was on his toes again minutes later to hold on to a swerving shot from Federico Chiesa.
Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder Denis Zakaria was available again for Switzerland after suspension, and he was influential for the visitors in support of his defence while Xherdan Shaqiri was busy on the flanks and Renato Steffen looked composed in the middle. The visitors looked comfortable heading towards half time but they were undone late in the second half by a set-piece. Lorenzo Insigne swung in a free-kick and his Napoli team-mate Giovanni Di Lorenzo beat Sommer to the ball to nod home his second goal for his country.
The pre-match Italy vs Switzerland betting odds suggested a home win and the way the crowd erupted they knew it was back on.
But if they hoped Italy would start the second half as they ended the first the crowd was disappointed as neither side had an effort on goal in the opening 20 minutes. Midway through the half Emerson let fly from the left side of the penalty area but he was high and wide. And with 20 minutes remaining Sandor Tonali finally forced another save from Sonner; then the Swiss keeper made another good reaction save when a shot from Domenico Berardi bounced of a defender and towards the goal but Sonner saved with his legs.
Italy were dominant now and Switzerland who really needed a win, just couldn’t get on the ball; but when the big chance came to Chiesa with seven minutes to go he blazed over.
And then came some VAR drama.
Ulisses Garcia bundled over Berardi and referee Antony Taylor waved it away; but his earpiece buzzed, he viewed the monitor and awarded a penalty.
Jorginho, so dependable from the penalty spot and a master under pressure, somehow lost it and smashed the spot kick way, way over the bar.
Key statistics
After Switzerland made a strong start Italy had he better of the game, with over 60 per cent and four shots on target to two.
Widmer’s stunning opener was only the second goal Italy had conceded in the group, and the Azzurri have lost just one game in the last 40 while the Swiss extend their unbeaten run to six.
What’s next?
This was Italy’s first World Cup action since beating Lithuania 5-0 in September and next up they have their final game away to Northern Ireland. Take a look at the SBOTOP odds but it should really be an a comfortable victory for Mancini’s men
Switzerland have been consistent performers, reaching the knockout phase of the last two World Cups and it would be a surprise if they fail to make it to Qatar. They have a final match at home to Bulgaria when Shaqiri could win his 100th international cap.
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