Substitute Haris Seferovic finished off a breathtaking box-to-box counterattack in extra-time to give Switzerland a thrilling 2-1 win over Ecuador in their FIFA World Cup Group E opener on Sunday.
A brilliant block tackle by Valon Behrami in his own area instigated the break, which was allowed to continue by an excellent decision from Uzbek referee Ravshan Irmatov after the midfielder was body-checked.
The move continued with Ricardo Rodriguez crossing for Seferovic to finish in the 93rd minute, sending Switzerland’s fans into raptures and deflating the South American side, who played their part in another World Cup attack fest, albeit lacking the quality seen in earlier matches.
Photo: Reuters
“It was a dream end to the game for us and is very important for the morale of the team,” Switzerland coach Ottmar Hitzfeld said.
“It will give us some extra strength for the next two matches,” he added, looking ahead to clashes with France and Honduras.
Switzerland had promised more attacking endeavor with an exciting young side after dour, defensive displays in their past two World Cups, but it was Ecuador who struck first in the 22nd minute after pre-match concerns about the European side’s soft center proved founded.
Ecuador striker Enner Valencia easily stepped away from Johan Djourou to meet Walter Ayovi’s free-kick from the right and Switzerland goalkeeper Diego Benaglio was stuck on his line as the ball fizzed into the box.
The Swiss squad bossed possession for long periods at the Estadio Nacional de Brasilia where thousands of fans missed the kickoff as they negotiated lengthy security lines, but they struggled to break down their rivals and were restricted to long shots.
At the break, Hitzfeld had seen enough and opted to introduce Admir Mehmedi when play resumed. His decision was validated when after just three minutes, the forward beat Carlos Gruezo to head home a corner and level the score.
The goal opened up the scrappy, entertaining contest as play flowed end to end, but both teams lacked calmness in the final third.
Switzerland, who beat Spain in their opening match in South Africa four years ago, but failed to reach the knockout stages, thought they had taken the lead when Josip Drmic poked home from close range with 20 minutes left, but the strike was wrongly ruled offside.
Undeterred, both sides continued to go toe-to-toe like heavyweight boxers and Ecuador substitute Michael Arroyo almost snatched the lead with an 86th-minute deflected free-kick that unconvincing Switzerland goalkeeper Diego Benaglio did well to palm away.
The Ecuador substitute then dawdled in possession after trying to take an extra touch in the penalty area when he should have shot, allowing Behrami, who was guilty of giving away the ball cheaply throughout the match, to block his effort in the dying seconds.
After denying Arroyo, Behrami surged upfield, was felled by an opponent, but picked himself up in a flash and the referee waved play on. With seconds left on the clock, the ball found its way to Ricardo Rodriguez on the left and his pinpoint cross was hammered in by substitute Seferovic from close range.
Ecuador coach Reinaldo Rueda lamented “a moment of naivety” that cost his side the game.
“We lost our organization at the end, we were somewhat betrayed by our emotion and this provoked the goal which took the draw away from us,” he told reporters.
Switzerland coach Ottmar Hitzfeld hailed goalscorer Seferovic and Behrami for the last-gasp win.
“I very much enjoyed that play when Valon [Behrami] was fouled, but then noticed there was a chance to counterattack,” Hitzfeld told a news conference. “It is always very important to use your intuition and make the most of those chances.”
Seferovic, a burly 22-year-old, who plays for La Liga side Real Sociedad, also won praise from his coach, but Hitzfield also noted room for improvement.
“What he [Seferovic] lacks is playing time, which he unfortunately hasn’t been getting at Real Sociedad,” the German said.
Switzerland next face France on Friday in Salvador.
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