Moscow: A last-minute goal from Xherdan Shaqiri earned Switzerland 2-1 win over Serbia in a Group E clash of the ongoing 21st edition of the FIFA World Cup at the Kaliningrad Stadium here on Friday.
While Aleksandar Mitrovic gave Serbia a lead in the fifth minute of the game, Switzerland’s equaliser came in second half, thanks to a superb long-range strike by Granit Xhaka in the 52nd minute.
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Despite being under pressure following a 1-1 draw against Brazil in their first match of the tournament, the Switzerland team did not lose calm till the last minute in their must-win the second game.
Mitrovic started off well for Switzerland, which looked assured and confident after beating Costa Rica 1-0 in their first game.
But their early energy and poise faded and the defeat leaves Mladen Krstajic’s team heading into their last Group E game against Brazil knowing only a win can guarantee them a spot in the knockout stages.
As an independent nation, Serbia now have lost each of the six World Cup matches in which they have conceded.
Meanwhile, Switzerland will next meet already-eliminated Costa Rica.
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