Pro Sports

Switzerland close gap on Italy by beating N Ireland 2-0

Posted October 09, 2021 7:00 am

By GRAHAM DUNBAR

Switzerland's Steven Zuber, right, celebrates scoring with teammates Xherdan Shaqiri, 2nd right, Renato Steffen, left, and Nico Elvedi, 2nd left, during the World Cup 2022 group I qualifying soccer match between Switzerland and Northern Ireland, at the Stade de Geneve stadium, in Geneva, Switzerland, Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021. (Salvatore Di Nolfi/Keystone via AP) The Associated Press

GENEVA (AP) - With group leader Italy away on Nations League duty, Switzerland took control of second place in their World Cup qualifying section after beating Northern Ireland 2-0 on Saturday.

Goals from Steven Zuber and substitute Christian Fassnacht arrived in stoppage time at the end of each half, and both came after the Irish were reduced to 10 men.

Both goals came on fast breaks through an overrun Irish defense, yet were poor reward for Switzerland's 25 attempts, seven on target, in a Europe Group C where Italy's superior goal difference could yet be decisive.

Northern Ireland was undermanned from the 37th minute when defender Jamal Lewis was shown a second yellow card by Slovenian referee Slavko VinÄiÄ‡ for taking too long to deliver a throw-in.

Coach Ian Baraclough said he was annoyed at a yellow card shown for time-wasting without a prior warning that is usual from a referee in such incidents.

'œWe've been on the wrong end of a very, very poor decision,'ť Baraclough said. 'œIt changed the complexion of the game.'ť

The win lifted the Swiss six points clear of the Irish in second place with three rounds of games left.

Switzerland is three points behind Italy and can draw level on Tuesday by winning at last-placed Lithuania, which got its first points by beating Bulgaria 3-1 on Saturday.

Italy is hosting the Nations League Finals - playing Belgium in a third-place game on Sunday - and returns to World Cup action against the Swiss next month.

Group C should be shaped by that Nov. 12 game in Rome. Italy has a goal difference six better than Switzerland and victory in their clash could all but seal the European champion's place at the World Cup in Qatar.

Only group winners advance direct to Qatar, and runners-up enter a 12-team playoffs in March where three places at the finals tournament are on offer.

If goal difference does become key, the Swiss could reflect on so many missed chances on Saturday and an earlier 1-0 home win against Lithuania. Italy won 5-0 when it hosted Lithuania.

Switzerland and Northern Ireland drew 0-0 last month in Belfast and their four meetings in World Cup qualification games in the past four years have produced just three goals, all for the Swiss.

Switzerland thought it led in the fourth minute when Denis Zakaria rifled a first-time shot from 25 meters low into the corner of the net.

After a video review lasting 1 minute, 45 seconds by the Slovenian match officials, the goal was disallowed for offside. It was either for Xherdan Shaqiri blocking the view of goalkeeper Bailey Peacock-Farrell or a marginal call against full back Kevin Mbabu receiving a long pass out of defense to begin the attack.

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More AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

Switzerland's Steven Zuber, right, scorers past Northern Ireland's Jordan Thompson during the World Cup 2022 group I qualifying soccer match between Switzerland and Northern Ireland, at the Stade de Geneve stadium, in Geneva, Switzerland, Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021. (Salvatore Di Nolfi/Keystone via AP) The Associated Press

Northern Ireland's Jamal Lewis, left, and Switzerland's Kevin Mbabu battle for the ball during the World Cup 2022 group I qualifying soccer match between Switzerland and Northern Ireland, at the Stade de Geneve stadium, in Geneva, Switzerland, Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021. (Laurent Gillieron/Keystone via AP) The Associated Press

Switzerland's Nico Elvedi, left, and Northern Ireland's Conor Washington battle for the ball during the World Cup 2022 group I qualifying soccer match between Switzerland and Northern Ireland, at the Stade de Geneve stadium, in Geneva, Switzerland, Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021. (Laurent Gillieron/Keystone via AP) The Associated Press

Switzerland's Steven Zuber, center, fights for the ball against Northern Ireland's Craig Cathcart, right, and Northern Ireland's goalkeeper Bailey Peacock-Farrell during the World Cup 2022 group I qualifying soccer match between Switzerland and Northern Ireland, at the Stade de Geneve stadium, in Geneva, Switzerland, Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021. (Laurent Gillieron/Keystone via AP) The Associated Press

Northern Ireland's Craig Cathcart, left, and Josh Magennis, no.21 center, fights for the ball against Switzerland's Denis Zakaria, 2nd right, and goalkeeper Yann Sommer, right, during the World Cup 2022 group I qualifying soccer match between Switzerland and Northern Ireland, at the Stade de Geneve stadium, in Geneva, Switzerland, Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021. (Salvatore Di Nolfi/Keystone via AP) The Associated Press

Lithuania team players celebrate their score during the World Cup 2022 Group C qualifying soccer match between Lithuania and Bulgaria at LFF stadium in Vilnius, Lithuania, Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021. (AP Photo/Mindaugas Kulbis) The Associated Press

Bulgaria's Petko Hristov, left, and Lithuania's Benas Satkus jump for the ball during the World Cup 2022 Group C qualifying soccer match between Lithuania and Bulgaria at LFF stadium in Vilnius, Lithuania, Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021. (AP Photo/Mindaugas Kulbis) The Associated Press

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