Alexander Frei scored two goals and set up another as FC Basel defeated FC Sheriff to advance into the Uefa Champions League group stage for the third time.
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The victory in the return match on FC Sheriff’s home pitch in Tiraspol, Moldova, followed a 1-0 win in Basel on August 19.
Marco Streller doubled Basel’s aggregate lead in the 74th minute by heading in Frei’s free-kick from the left.
After home captain Vazha Tarkhnishvili was dismissed for a second booking soon after, Frei put the seal on a comfortable passage with two late efforts, meaning Sheriff – making their tenth successive attempt at reaching the group stage – must settle for the Uefa Europa League again.
On Wednesday evening, Young Boys of Bern are expected to have a tougher time qualifying for the Champions League.
They were surprise winners, 3-2, one week ago against Tottenham Hostspur of the English Premier League.
Not only are Swiss side the underdogs, they will be playing on Tottenham’s home turf.
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For the Swiss team the World Cup was a roller coaster ride. A win over top favourites Spain at the very beginning, soon to be followed by an inglorious exit. But other teams also had their highs and lows.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here. Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.