Game Review Switzerland 2-1 Ecuador

Switzerland steal the game in Injury time
Switzerland                    2 - 1           Ecuador
Admir Mehmedi (48')                        Enner Valencia (22')
H. Seferovic       (92')

Group E had its first kickoff between Switzerland and Ecuador at the Estadio Nacional in Brasilia. The Swiss Manager Ottmar Hitzfeld made a bold decision by starting with Johan Djourou in place of the more expected choice of Fabian Schar. On the other hand, the Ecuadorians had their hopes on star midfielder, Antonio Valencia.

First Half: 0 : 1
Ecuador got off to an energetic start and were maintaining good possession, while the Swiss were struggling to get hold of the ball. However, Stephan Lichtsteiner seemed to be making some good forward runs from the right side of the pitch. The good quality pressing upfront from Ecuador finally paid off when Enner Valencia headed in Ecuador's first Goal of the season in the 22'. Post the goal however, the Swiss seemed more focussed and began to better their possession and control via Inler and Shaquiri. Inler took a good long ranger which required a good save from the Ecuadorian goalkeeper, Alexander Dominguez. However, despite maintaining a good 55% possession and winning many corners the Swiss couldn't find the equaliser as Ecuador managed to hold on to their lead.

Second Half:1-1
The Swiss got off to a flyer, via a strong header from Admir Mehmedi who seemed to be unmarked. With the equaliser, the gameplay was bound to open up. Both teams started playing end to end football. While Enner Valencia continued making good runs, Jefferson Montero kept giving Licthsteiner problems along the right side of the pitch, forcing a brilliant save from the Swiss goalkeeper, Diego Benaglio. Josip Dmric, in the meanwhile converted a good pass from Ricardo Rodriguez, but was denied since he was in an offside position. Both teams started pressing harder for three points as the tempo of the game kept rising up until the closing minutes of the game. However, with just 30 seconds remaining, the Swiss managed to score the winner via the substituted forward, Haris Seferovic. It was a a deft touch in the end, that managed to notch up valuable 3 points for the Swiss.

With France being the favourites to top this group, this victory has put Switzerland in pole position to be the second team to qualify for the knockouts. Ecuador will rue upon missed opportunities and now face an uphill task. Nevertheless, both sides will have to improve their defence from set pieces in order to provide some resistance to the French.