Portugal vs Switzerland Preview
In the final tie of the Round of 16, Portugal will take on Switzerland at the Lusail Stadium on Tuesday, with both sides aiming to reach a territory they haven’t charted for a considerable period of time.
Going into their final game against South Korea, with qualification already guaranteed, Fernando Santos’ side required only a solitary point to confirm their status as Group H winners. While they could not avoid the pangs of defeat, Ghana’s loss ensured that Portugal secured the top spot.
Having hit the ground running and won their first two matches in the group stage, Santos had the privilege of resting his prime players and fielding a second-string side in Portugal’s final fixture, which they dramatically lost in injury time to South Korea.
Generally in this campaign, Portugal’s defence has not been an embodiment of an unbreakable brick wall, and a cumulative xGA – Expected Goals Allowed – of 3.9 also does not reflect too favourably on the Selecao.
But they’ve been readily bailed out by their attacking prowess, which has been flowing with gusto, especially in the first two games. Six goals scored in three games, with an xG of 4.6, Santos would be wishing that his side maintain their conversion rate.
Portugal have advanced out of their group for the fourth time in the last four major tournaments but the fact that the Selecao have not reached the last 8 in the world cup since 2006 must feel like a super annoying inch they’ll be dying to get rid of.
On the other hand, Switzerland finished level on points with the favourites-to-win-the-title Brazil in Group G. Their golden generation of football, now under the stewardship of Murat Yakin, just keeps on giving.
In the process of progressing to the next stage for the fifth time in five major competitions since 2004, the Rossocrociati played one of the games of the tournament – yes, there have been many!
A do-or-die affair for both parties involved, neither the Serbs nor the Swiss held back. There were 15 shots before the whistle blew for the first half! From start to finish it was a high-intensity, high-action, basketball-style game that was settled by Remo Freuler’s 48th-minute winner, a team goal brimming with pizzazz that was wholly worthy of taking the Swiss to the next round.
Moreover, Switzerland would take heart from knowing that they were evidently the dominant side, especially in the second half, in both their victories, as well…
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