It was a match neither team could afford to lose in Group E and it appeared to be heading toward a draw in the closing minutes. Then Xherdan Shaqiri made one game-changing run and the next thing you know he’s peeling his shirt off with a 2-1 win for Switzerland vs Serbia.
Having earned an unlikely draw against Brazil, Switzerland knew it would be in strong position with a draw against Serbia, which beat Costa Rica in its first match. Serbia knew it could clinch a spot in the next round with a victory, but the most important thing was to not lose ahead of its match against Brazil.
But Shaqiri took over the match to score the game winner in the 90th minute after having come within inches of scoring earlier in the match. Aleksandar Mitrovic opened the scoring for Serbia in the fifth minute before Granit Xhaka equalized early in the second half.
With both teams seeking a winner, it was Shaqiri who supplied it. Take note of the run the Alpine Messi makes to escape the two Serbian center backs. Dusko Tosic was a bit lazy following Shaqiri and by the time he tried to put Shaqiri offside, the Swiss winger was gone.
#MundialTelemundo ¡Héroe sobre la hora! @XS_11official le está dando el triunfo a #SUI sobre #SRB pic.twitter.com/3MCmLToIDe
— Telemundo Deportes (@TelemundoSports) June 22, 2018
The first goal of the Switzerland vs Serbia match came early through Mitrovic. The forward is a handful and he rose well to nod in a cross in the fifth minute in what was a roaring start for Serbia.
#MundialTelemundo ¡Gol tempranero! Aleksandar Mitrovic ya tiene la frente a #SRB sobre #SUI y así lo narra @sadovnik1965 pic.twitter.com/nyP63mDwf6
— Telemundo Deportes (@TelemundoSports) June 22, 2018
Serbia threatened a few more times but the match remained 1-0 until halftime.
After the break, Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka put his laces through a shot that whizzed its way into the back of the net in the 52nd minute.
#MundialTelemundo ¡Golazo! Granit Xhaka pone en la pelea a #SUI y le da el empate ante #SRB . Así lo narró @sadovnik1965 pic.twitter.com/rGLDcOmTRK
— Telemundo Deportes (@TelemundoSports) June 22, 2018
Both teams sought a winner and Shaqiri nearly gave Switzerland the lead with this rocket from the edge of the 18, skimming the post after cutting inside on his left foot.
#SUI is feeling it now as Shaqiri’s audacious attempt hits the bar. #SRB escapes (:@FOXSoccer) pic.twitter.com/iEYMGv28zF
— Planet Fútbol (@si_soccer) June 22, 2018
On the other end, Mitrovic had a penalty shout that was ignored by both the referee and VAR. We’re not quite sure how everyone missed this.
An absolute mugging on Aleksandar Mitrović#CRC #SRB #CRCSRB pic.twitter.com/X8BybRPnOw
— The18 (@the18com) June 22, 2018
But then Shaqiri put the magical finishing touches on the match for Switzerland vs Serbia. The three points put Switzerland level with Brazil atop Group E. Serbia is still alive, but must beat Brazil.
So, Group E...
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) June 22, 2018
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