The Swiss football team has qualified for next summer’s World Cup tournament in Russia after a goalless draw against Northern Ireland in Basel on Sunday. This followed a 1-0 victory in the first leg of the play-off in Belfast on Thursday.
Switzerland were grateful for Ricardo Rodriguez clearing the ball off his own goal line in the 91st minute after his side failed to take advantage of several opportunities in wet and slippery conditions.
Switzerland’s opponents in the opening stages of the World Cup will be announced on December 1 in Moscow.
“In all honesty, nobody cares about how we got there in this game,” said Swiss midfield player Granit Xhaka. “We have our World Cup ticket and that’s all that counts.” The 25-year-old then showed off his T-shirt emblazoned with a picture of the Kremlin and the single word "Switzerland".
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