As the game was seemingly going to end in a 1-1 draw, the Swiss scored a winner with what was surely the last kick of the game. After the Ecuadorians took an early lead, the Swiss got one back directly after the break to even the score. One could argue that Switzerland was the better side on this afternoon, but Ecuador had its chances to grab three points.
The conditions for the two teams could not have been anymore pristine. It was the Ecuadorians who came out looking hungrier, winning two corners within the first four minutes. It took about 15 minutes for the Swiss to come into the game as they began to look more comfortable holding possession.
It was Ecuador who made the breakthrough on 21’ minutes as Enner Valencia headed in a beautifully taken free kick from the left flank off the boot of Walter Ayowi. Questions should be asked about Switzerland’s marking as Valencia was left completely alone directly in front of goal. The Swiss did almost get one back on 36’ minutes as Ghokan Inler’s left foot shot from outside of the eighteen was pushed aside for a corner by keeper Alexander Dominguez.
As the half came to a close, Ecuador seemed content with sitting back and letting Switzerland hold possession in their own half. Despite holding 67% of the ball, the Swiss failed to create any real wholehearted chances. The speed of the Ecuadorians did seem to cause the Swiss some discomfort, as they did look dangerous on the counter.
It didn’t take long for the Swiss to even the score as “super sub” Admir Mehmedi made Ottmar Hitzfeld look like a genius as he headed home a perfect corner on 48’ minutes. It was exactly the start Switzerland was looking for as the momentum seemed to be swinging in their favor.
It was the Ecuadorians that almost took the lead on 59’minutes as Enner Valencia almost scored his second goal as his shot from just outside the eighteen skimmed just passed the crossbar. The game at this point was beginning to open up as fatigue looked to be setting in for both teams. It was the Swiss on 69’ minutes that thought they had taken the lead, only to have the linesman wrongly raise his flag for offside. It was a lucky break for the Ecuadorians as the Swiss were seemingly the stronger side during the second half.
Switzerland had a huge opportunity on 80’ minutes to take the lead as Xherdan Shaqiri was brought down about twenty yards from goal. His free kick though wasn’t able to clear the wall and the Ecuadorians narrowly escaped.
There were questions about a possible red card on 84’ minutes as Johan Djourou brought down Enner Valencia on what could’ve been a possible break away. Luckily for the Swiss, he was only given a yellow for the tackle.
It was an unbelievable last three minutes as the game completely opened up. Michael Arroyo had a huge chance on 92’ minutes that he was not able to convert. How he would regret that as Switzerland stole three points on a late winner off the boot of Haris Seferovic from about 3 yards out a minute later. It was a crushing blow to the Ecuadorians as they played a solid game and were bound to take a point away from it.
Ecuador will play Honduras on June 20th with a win being absolutely vital if they want to have any chance of advancing to the Round of 16. Switzerland will face France and will look to build on the momentum of winning their opening match.
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