REVIEW: Swiss Win off Last-Minute Stunner
By Young Kim
With the match stagnated at a 1-1 draw, fans were ascertain that the match between Ecuador and Switzerland remain a tie in the final minutes. However, after Ecuador’s Michael Arroyo failed to get a shot off in the box, the Swiss initiated a quick counterattack. Swiss fullback Ricardo Rodriguez launched a low cross from the left wing to the sliding Haris Seferovic in injury time for the game-winning goal.
Ecuador jumped to an early lead in the 22nd minute when Enner Valencia was left unmarked and headed in Jamie Ayovi’s corner kick for the 1-0 lead. Switzerland looked lively following the goal and created more chances to no avail. Ecuador on the otherhand showed much energy in the midfield but lacked a finishing touch in the final third of the pitch, turning the ball over too easily.
In the 48th minute, Swiss equalized off of Admir Mehmedi’s header thanks to a corner kick from Ricardo Rodriguez and somehow the momentum shifted to Switzerland’s favor. They failed to capitalize until the game-winner in the dying seconds of the match.
Defensive lapses were the cause of concern for the Ecuadorian side. Goalkeeper Alexander Dominguez made a poor decision on Rodriguez’s corner and stood far too ahead of the goalpost, leaving him helpless against Mehmedi’s header. Moreover, Mehmedi was surprisingly left unmarked during that corner kick.
The Ecuadorians picked the worst time to get lax on defense when the Swiss scored the game-winner in the final seconds of injury time. When the Swiss launched their counter-attack, Ecuador’s midfielders and forwards did not retreat to help out on the defensive end. Switzerland’s runners outnumbered Ecuador, giving Rodriguez ample space to launch a beautiful cross to Seferovic.
This valuable lesson about defensive discipline may have come too late for La Tri as they have to face a tenacious Honduras side and a talented French squad later on in the tournament. The Swiss on the other hand can rest easy, knowing fully well they won the most important match in their group.
Man of the Match
Ricardo Rodriguez surely capitalized on Ecuador’s defensive miscues and made two masterful assists that decided the game. Well-deserved award for the Wolfsburg left-back.
Player Ratings
Ecuador
Dominguez 5.0 – Responsible for conceding the first goal due to poor positioning.
Ayovi 5.0 – Was oft-exposed by Lichsteiner.
Guagua 6.0 – Can’t blame him for the injury time goal, given his effort throughout the first 90 minutes.
Paredes 6.0 – Kept Switzerland’s midfield quiet most of the match
Erazo 5.5 – Should have stood in front of Seferovic, but failed to do so.
A. Valencia 5.0 – largely invisible throughout the match. Hard to believe he plays for Manchester United…
Gruezo 5.5 – Unfortunately he had to cover Ayovi’s rear-end
Noboa 5.5 – Did a decent job at anchoring the midfield. Linked well with Jefferson Montero
Montero 6.5 – Always caused problems, unfortunately his teammates failed to be of aid.
E. Valencia 7.0 – Constantly a threat in Switzerland’s box
Caicedo 6.0 – Used his strength to get past the Swiss from the wing, but he disappeared in the second half.
Substitutes
Arroyo 5.5 – Should have taken that shot in the 90+ minutes.
Rojas 5.0 – Not much impact as a sub
Switzerland
Benaglio 6.5 – Hardly tested
von Bergen 6.0 – Weakest link in Swiss backline
Lichsteiner 7.0 – Was a problem to Ecuador’s right side on the offensive end and did a decent job containing Jefferson Montero on the defensive end. Nothing spectacular though.
Djourou 5.5 – responsible for leaving Valencia open for the header
Rodriguez 8.0 – Two assists to win the game.
Xhaka 7.5 – Did cause problems for Ecuador but lacked finishing touch in his passes and shots.
Stocker 5.5 – Wildly invisible
Behrami 7.0 – Helped set up the game-winner
Shaqiri 6.5 – Poor passing and set piece delivery marred his energetic performance
Inler 6.5 – Turnover prone
Drmic 6.5 – Should have had his goal allowed. Regardless he failed to make a presence in the box.
Substitutes
Seferovic 7.5 – If it weren’t for the goal, he would’ve been a hindrance to the team.
Mehmedi 7.5 – Made impact immediately after coming off bench.