Switzerland is approaching Italy, Sweden beat Kozovo 3-0
GENEVA, October 10: With group leaders Italy out of the Nations League, Switzerland took control of second place in their World Cup qualifiers 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 quick breaks through a run-down Irish defense, but still it was a poor reward for Switzerland 25 attempts, seven in goal, in a Europa Group C where Italy’s superior goal difference could still be decisive.
Northern Ireland was undermined from the 37th minute when defender Jamal Lewis received a second yellow card from Slovenian referee Slavko Vinčić for taking too long to deliver a throw-in.
The win lifted the Swiss by six points from the Irish in second place with three rounds left.
Switzerland is three points behind Italy and can level on Tuesday by winning at last-placed Lithuania, who got their first points by beating Bulgaria 3-1 on Saturday.
Only group winners advance directly to Qatar, and the runner-up enters a 12-team final in March where three places in the final tournament are offered.
Switzerland thought it led in the fourth minute when Denis Zakaria fired a first shot from 25 yards out into the corner of the net.
Alexander Isak strengthened his growing reputation with a superb individual goal in Sweden’s 3-0 victory against Kosovo that lifted the team to within a point of Spain on Saturday.
The Real Sociedad striker collected a pass on the left wing, put the ball through the legs of a challenger and then hit a shot in the upper corner from 30 meters.
It contributed to goals from Emil Forsberg – from the penalty spot – and substitute Robin Quaison.
Sweden has a game in hand over Spain, which is not in qualified action in this international break because it plays in Nations League four.
The teams still have to play against each other – in Spain – in Group B before the European qualifiers end.
Greece scored two late goals to win Georgia 2-0 and stay in third place, three points behind Sweden.
Greece and Sweden have three qualifying matches left, the first coming on Tuesday when they meet in Stockholm. (AP)