Live ticker World Cup qualifiers: Switzerland – Kosovo

The Swiss team record a clear victory.

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The Swiss national team started the World Cup qualifiers with a convincing victory. Coach Murat Yakin’s team won 4:0 against Kosovo.

The national team is becoming a feel-good place for Breel Embolo. The striker celebrated his fourth consecutive goal in a Swiss kit. Embolo even scored twice in the all-important opening game of the World Cup qualifiers. Both times the assist came from Dan Ndoye, first a beautiful cross into the back of the defense, then a pass with the tip of his foot. Embolo finished twice in cold blood.

These were Embolo’s 19th and 20th goals in his 78th international match. The 28-year-old thus drew level with Hakan Yakin and Lauro Amado – only eleven players have scored more goals in the history of the national team. And for the attacker, it was a pleasing end to a turbulent week.

His transfer to Rennes was announced on Monday. This became necessary because Embolo was no longer getting a chance at Monaco. He has yet to record a single minute of action this season. The court hearing in Basel followed on Wednesday. Embolo wanted to prove at the appeal trial that he had been wrongly convicted of threatening following an incident in May 2018 – without success. Despite all the sideshows, Yakin put his trust in the attacker and was rewarded.

Another four goals in one half

Embolo was part of a team that was completely convincing against Kosovo. The opponents had traveled to Basel with plenty of confidence after winning eight of their last ten games. The fact that midfielder Leon Avdullahu had opted to play for Kosovo instead of Switzerland seemed to confirm the upward trend. The player from Solothurn made his debut in Basel, which he is unlikely to remember fondly.

Kosovo’s national coach Franco Foda had announced in advance that he would not only defend against Switzerland, but also aim for victory with an attacking style of play. However, there was little evidence of this in the match. The Kosovars held out for a good 20 minutes, but then the Swiss made everything clear with four goals within 23 minutes.

In addition to Embolo, two defenders got on the scoresheet. Manuel Akanji opened the scoring with a header in the 22nd minute from a corner kick by Ruben Vargas. Silvan Widmer scored to make it 3-0 in the meantime after a fine assist from Fabian Rieder. As in the two test matches in June, Switzerland scored four goals and, as in the recent match against the USA, all the goals came in the first half.

Yakin counts on experience

Murat Yakin countered Kosovo’s emotionally driven team with a large dose of experience. Among others, he relied on Silvan Widmer in defense, even though he is no longer a starter at the club and has only played one of the last seven games for the national team. On the other side, Ricardo Rodriguez made his 130th international appearance.

Central defenders Akanji and Nico Elvedi and midfielders Captain Granit Xhaka and Remo Freuler also brought plenty of experience to the pitch, which the Kosovan internationals ultimately had nothing to counter. After three draws, Switzerland celebrated their first win in their fourth match against Kosovo. It came at an extremely important time, as the three points were a must at the start of the six-round qualifying campaign.

Switzerland continue with their second home game in Basel. Slovenia are the guests on Monday.

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Switzerland – Kosovo 4:0 (4:0)

Basel. – 33’996 spectators (sold out). – Referee Marciniak (POL). – Goals: 22nd Akanji 1:0. 25th Embolo 2:0. 39th Widmer 3:0. 45th Embolo 4:0.

Switzerland: Kobel; Widmer, Elvedi, Akanji, Rodriguez (46. Muheim); Xhaka, Freuler; Vargas (60. Aebischer), Rieder (60. Manzambi), Ndoye (85. Itten); Embolo (76. Zakaria).

Kosovo: Muric; Vojvoda, Amir Rrahmani (64. Krasniqi), Dellova, Paqarada (46. Gallapeni); Avdullahu (84. Berisha), Rexhbecaj (46. Albion Rrahmani), Muslija; Ermal Krasniqi (46. Zabergja), Muriqi, Jashari.

Cautions: 71st Muheim, 78th Widmer.

45.



Embolo makes it 4:0 with his heel.

Screenshot:
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25.



Breel Embolo celebrates his goal to make it 2-0.

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22.



Akanji climbs higher than Avdullahu and nods in to make it 1:0.

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0.

The line-ups are here

Yakin will rely on Kobel in goal, with Widmer, Elvedi, Akanji and Rodriguez defending in front of him. Xhaka, Freuler and Rieder will play in midfield, while Ndoye, Embolo and Vargas will provide the music in attack. Avdullahu makes his debut for the Kosovars.



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85.
Substitution in Switzerland

85.
Substitution out Switzerland

83.
Substitution in Kosovo

83.
Substitution out Kosovo
Leon Avdullahu
Midfielder
77.
Yellow card Switzerland
75.
Substitution in Switzerland

75.
Substitution out Switzerland

71.
Yellow card Switzerland
63.
Substitution in Kosovo
63.
Substitution out Kosovo

60.
Substitution in Switzerland

Michel Aebischer
Midfielder
60.
Substitution out Switzerland

60.
Substitution in Switzerland
Johan Manzambi
Midfielder
60.
Substitution out Switzerland

46.
Substitution in Kosovo
46.
Substitution out Kosovo
46.
Substitution in Kosovo
46.
Substitution out Kosovo

46.
Substitution in Switzerland
46.
Substitution out Switzerland

Ricardo Rodríguez
Defender
46.
Substitution in Kosovo
46.
Substitution out Kosovo

Elvis Rexhbecaj
Midfielder
45.
Goal for Switzerland, 4:0 through Breel Embolo (Dan Ndoye)


Assist: Dan Ndoye
Striker
39.
Goal for Switzerland, 3:0 through Silvan Widmer (Fabian Rieder)


Assist: Fabian Rieder
Midfielder
25.
Goal for Switzerland, 2:0 through Breel Embolo (Dan Ndoye)


Assist: Dan Ndoye
Striker
22.
Goal for Switzerland, 1:0 through Manuel Akanji (Ruben Vargas)


Assist: Ruben Vargas
Striker