Republic need win over Danes to qualify after defeat in Switzerland

The Republic of Ireland’s hopes of qualifying automatically for Euro 2020 rest on next month’s home game with Denmark after they lost in Switzerland.

Victory would have booked the Irish’s place but Haris Seferovic and Edimilson Fernandes hit the goals.

A win over the Danes on 18 November will secure qualification from Group D.

But the Irish will be without skipper Seamus Coleman, who was sent off in conceding a second-half penalty superbly saved by Darren Randolph.

After rain had threatened Tuesday’s game, Switzerland’s first-half tempo yielded Benfica striker Seferovic’s 16th-minute goal and Fernandes hammered in the second in the closing seconds despite Shane Duffy’s attempts to keep out the close-range shot.

With the Republic changing from their early 3-5-2 formation to a more familiar 4-4-2, they produced second-half pressure but the Swiss held firm to put themselves back on course for qualification after their 1-0 defeat in Copenhagen on Saturday.

The Republic still top Group D on goal difference from Denmark with Switzerland a point behind but both the Danes and Swiss have games in hand, which come against out-of-contention sides Gibraltar and Georgia respectively on 15 November.

Barring unlikely slips by the Swiss against Georgia and in their final game in Gibraltar, only a Republic win against the Danes in their final game will be enough to secure qualification for Mick McCarthy’s side.

If that route fails, they may still have the fallback option of a play-off place.

Embolo artistry helps set up Swiss win

McCarthy handed a first start to Brighton youngster Aaron Connolly after his encouraging first-cap cameo in Saturday’s uninspiring draw in Georgia but instead it was Borussia Monchengladbach’s Breel Embolo who was the most effective attacker in the pivotal first half.

With Embolo finding space all too easily, he helped the Swiss carve out a series of first-half chances and Seferovic’s finish through Shane Duffy’s legs from outside the box undid the Republic’s obvious plan of holding out and frustrating the home side.

After the Swiss had controlled the first half, the Republic rallied in the second period but beyond having a Glenn Whelan shot blocked, had little to show in the way of clearcut chances.

Coleman’s dismissal came after he was adjudged to have handled an Embolo shot in the 76th minute, which followed his first-half yellow card for an angry exchange with Arsenal’s Granit Xhaka.

Randolph superbly saved substitute Ricardo Rodriguez’s spot-kick while Fabian Schar also headed against the Republic woodwork in the second half before Fernandes’s clinching goal.

McCarthy’s three changes from Georgia draw

The Republic’s display in Saturday’s 0-0 draw in Georgia came in for criticism and McCarthy opted for three changes as well as the altered formation.

Brighton youngster Connolly partnered James Collins in attack as Callum Robinson dropped out, with Preston midfielder Alan Browne taking over from Conor Hourihane.

As expected, Sheffield United’s Enda Stevens returned after suspension in place of Matt Doherty but was part of a three-man defence alongside Shane Duffy and John Egan.

Despite Saturday’s 1-0 defeat by Denmark, Swiss boss Vladimir Petkovic opted for an unchanged starting line-up and his faith was rewarded as the home side quickly took control.

The signs were ominous for the visitors as Xhaka tested Randolph in the seventh minute before Swiss player of the year Seferovic blasted low through Duffy’s legs to the net from just outside the box after Jeff Hendrick’s misdirected defensive header.

At the other end, Duffy headed a Glenn Whelan corner straight at Swiss keeper Yann Sommer just before the break but it was a rare Republic goal attempt.

O’Dowda introduction helps Republic rally

After abandoning his three at the back formation midway through the first half, McCarthy introduced Callum O’Dowda for striker Collins at half-time and it helped the visitors produce some pressure in the third quarter.

But the Swiss were continuing to carve out the better chances, with Randolph having to tip over a Seferovic header and then seeing Schar’s header come back off a post.

Connolly was replaced by Scott Hogan on 70 minutes shortly before Coleman’s dismissal as he picked up a second yellow card when conceding the penalty.

The heroic Randolph stretched to his left to keep out Rodriguez’s spot-kick but could do nothing as Fernandes’ blasted in from close range despite Duffy’s efforts in the final minute of injury-time.

McCarthy’s first loss since return – the stats

• The Republic of Ireland have suffered their first defeat under Mick McCarthy since he returned as boss
• McCarthy’s first stint as Republic boss ended in a 2-1 defeat by the Swiss in October 2002
• The Republic’s defeat leaves Denmark as the only unbeaten team in Group D
• Seamus Coleman became the first Republic player to be red carded in a competitive game since Shane Duffy’s dismissal against France at Euro 2016
• Haris Seferovic has been directly involved in 10 goals in his last eight home appearances for Switzerland (8 goals, 2 assists)
• Midfielder Glenn Whelan earned his 91st cap, moving level with Niall Quinn as the eighth most-capped Republic player
• After scoring 12 consecutive penalties for club and country between 2014 and 2018, Switzerland’s Ricardo Rodriguez has now missed two of his last five spot-kicks

About The Author