Switzerland struck twice in quick succession to stun Euro 2016 champions Portugal 2-0 in a World Cup qualifier on Tuesday and hand it a first competitive defeat in two years under coach Fernando Santos.
Ninteeen-year-old Breel Embolo headed Switzerland ahead in the 23rd minute and Admir Mehmedi doubled the lead six minutes later as Portugal's defence, almost impregnable in France in June, dramatically unravelled.
Portugal, missing talismanic forward and record scorer Cristiano Ronaldo, regained itscomposure and dominated much of the rest of the game but was ineffective in attack.
Santos was appointed coach in September 2014 and had not previously lost in 14 competitive games, seven in the Euro 2016 qualifiers and another seven in the tournament itself.
Swiss midfielder Granit Xhaka was sent off for a second bookable offence in stoppage time as tempers flared.
OTHER RESULTS:
Netherlands drew with Sweden 1-1
France drew with Belarus 0-0
Bosnia and Herzegovina beat Estonia 5-0
Comments
SHARE