Favorite fails in Group B
©IMAGO
Shock in injury time: Switzerland started the World Cup with a late blow and a big disappointment. Coach Murat Yakin’s team, which was made up of numerous current or former Bundesliga professionals, couldn’t get more than a 1-1 (1-0) draw at the start against the blatant outsiders Qatar.
In the San Francisco Bay Area Stadium, Breel Embolo initially gave Switzerland the lead (17th minute/foul penalty). However, Boualem Khoukhi (90+4) equalized for Qatar late on. For the team coached by Spaniard Julen Lopetegui, it was their first point in their second World Cup participation.
Under clear blue skies and around 25 degrees, numerous fans gathered at the stadium in Santa Clara before 10 a.m. local time. The Switzerland supporters got in the mood for the game with a joint march with cowbells and chants. However, in the huge arena where the Super Bowl took place in February, numerous seats remained empty during kick-off in the midday heat.
“We are hungry like never before,” captain Granit Xhaka announced before kick-off. The midfield strategist from AFC Sunderland wants to play the “best World Cup of all time” with Switzerland. So far the quarter-finals have been the biggest success.
The Swiss were almost shocked early on. Edmílson Junior appeared free in front of goalkeeper Gregor Kobel, but was denied by the Borussia Dortmund keeper. The favorite was now awake. Switzerland built up pressure. The very agile Dan Ndoye caused a lot of alarm, but was unable to take advantage of his chances. Embolo, however, stayed cool from the penalty spot. Qatar goalkeeper Mahmud Abunada fouled Remo Freuler in the penalty area and the former Gladbacher converted confidently.
However, the fact that there were penalties at all caused some surprise. Camera images suggested that Freuler was in an offside position before the foul. “I would have expected an offside position,” said former referee Thorsten Kinhöfer on “ZDF”. “I can only imagine that the camera showed the wrong perspective or the semi-automatic offside line failed.” TV expert and 2014 world champion Per Mertesacker was also irritated.
Of course, Switzerland didn’t complain, they continued to control the game and had chances to score more goals. However, the strong Abunada prevented a quick preliminary decision. Qatar had a chance to equalize in one of its few offensive actions shortly before the break. Once again Kobel remained the winner against Edmílson Junior.
Little changed after the break. The Swiss let the ball run, but hardly shone. At times the game had something of a summer preparation feel to it – also in terms of atmosphere. After the initial euphoria, it was now very quiet in the stands. It got loudest during the drinking breaks, when music blared from the speakers and dancing and waving fans laughed from the screens.
When the Swiss were probably already thinking about the final whistle, they were shocked late on. After a high cross into the penalty area, Khoukhi headed the ball, which went into the corner unstoppable for Kobel.