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Republic of Ireland 0-1 Switzerland: Xherdan Shaqiri scores as Switzerland beat Republic of Ireland

By Andy GrayBBC Sport NI

Last updated on .From the section FootballBBC Russian128

Xherdan Shaqiri curled home a free-kick to open the scoring in Dublin
Xherdan Shaqiri curled home a free-kick to open the scoring in Dublin

The Republic of Ireland fell to a narrow 1-0 defeat by Euro 2024-bound Switzerland in a low-key friendly in Dublin.

Xherdan Shaqiri struck the winner in the 23rd minute when he curled a free-kick into the bottom corner.

Granit Xhaka hit the post from 40 yards as he almost capitalised on a poor clearance by Gavin Bazunu.

John O'Shea's side pushed for an equaliser but fell short at the Aviva Stadium.

The match brings O'Shea's time as interim manager to an end, with the Football Association of Ireland set to announce a permanent successor to Stephen Kenny in April.

After an encouraging draw with Belgium on Friday, the Republic of Ireland had a lively start at the Aviva Stadium, but the 35,742-strong crowd were stunned into silence when Shaqiri opened the scoring.

The free-kick was awarded when Zeki Amdouni bought a free-kick off Dara O'Shea on the edge of the area, and Chicago Fire forward Shaqiri curled a low free-kick around the Irish wall and into the bottom corner.

The Republic had a good chance to level when O'Shea headed back across goal and defensive partner Andrew Omobamidele headed straight into the gloves of Yvon Mvogo.

Evan Ferguson, without a goal for club or country in four months, had a chance to head home from a corner but Omobamidele, also challenging for the ball, collided with his team-mate at the moment of contact and the chance faded away.

Despite the increased Irish pressure, Switzerland almost doubled their lead when a clearance from Bazunu - starting in place of Liverpool's Caoimhin Kelleher - fell short to Xhaka, and the Bayern Leverkusen midfielder let fly from 40 yards only to see his effort bounce back off the post.

Mikey Johnston headed wide shortly before the break when he got on the end of Jason Knight's back-post cross and Josh Cullen then fired wide from Ferguson's lay-off in a strong end to the first half.

While the first half was relatively entertaining, the second was anything but as substitutions broke up any flow and momentum, and chances were at a premium.

Michel Aebischer fired straight at Bazunu from range after the restart and substitute Adam Idah tried a speculative overhead kick, which sailed harmlessly wide.

Celtic striker Idah blazed over from 25 yards with eight minutes to play and although the hosts pressed for an equaliser, it failed to come and Switzerland left Dublin with victory.

Switzerland will face hosts Germany, Scotland, who lost 1-0 to Northern Ireland on Tuesday, and Hungary in Group A at the Euro 2024 finals.

Line-ups

Republic of Ireland

Formation 5-4-1

  • 1Bazunu
  • 2ColemanBooked at 85mins
  • 5OmobamideleSubstituted forDohertyat 57'minutes
  • 22Collins
  • 4O'Shea
  • 11BradySubstituted forO'Dowdaat 79'minutes
  • 15SzmodicsSubstituted forSykesat 79'minutes
  • 17KnightSubstituted forSmallboneat 57'minutes
  • 6CullenSubstituted forAzazat 87'minutes
  • 14JohnstonSubstituted forIdahat 57'minutes
  • 9Ferguson

Substitutes

  • 3Manning
  • 7Doherty
  • 8Smallbone
  • 10Idah
  • 12O'Dowda
  • 13Sykes
  • 16Kelleher
  • 18McGrath
  • 19Obafemi
  • 20Moran
  • 21Ebosele
  • 23Travers
  • 24O'Brien
  • 25Azaz
  • 26Hodge

Switzerland

Formation 3-4-2-1

  • 12Mvogo
  • 22SchärSubstituted forOmeragicat 80'minutes
  • 4ElvediBooked at 75mins
  • 18Cömert
  • 3WidmerBooked at 59minsSubstituted forMbabuat 65'minutes
  • 10XhakaSubstituted forFreulerat 45'minutes
  • 25SierroSubstituted forZakariaat 65'minutes
  • 19NdoyeSubstituted forKutesaat 65'minutes
  • 7Amdouni
  • 20Aebischer
  • 23ShaqiriSubstituted forOkaforat 76'minutes

Substitutes

  • 1Omlin
  • 2Mbabu
  • 6Zakaria
  • 8Freuler
  • 9Okafor
  • 11Steffen
  • 13Rodríguez
  • 15Zesiger
  • 16Bislimi
  • 21von Ballmoos
  • 24Omeragic
  • 26Kutesa
Referee:
Pawel Raczkowski
Attendance:
35,742

Match Stats

Home TeamRepublic of IrelandAway TeamSwitzerland
Possession
Home49%
Away51%
Shots
Home8
Away8
Shots on Target
Home1
Away3
Corners
Home4
Away3
Fouls
Home8
Away13

Live Text

  1. Post update

    Match ends, Republic of Ireland 0, Switzerland 1.

  2. Full Time

    Second Half ends, Republic of Ireland 0, Switzerland 1.

  3. Post update

    Attempt blocked. Noah Okafor (Switzerland) right footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Zeki Amdouni.

  4. Post update

    Offside, Republic of Ireland. Adam Idah is caught offside.

  5. Post update

    Attempt blocked. Finn Azaz (Republic of Ireland) left footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Evan Ferguson.

  6. Post update

    Corner, Republic of Ireland. Conceded by Nico Elvedi.

  7. Substitution

    Substitution, Republic of Ireland. Finn Azaz replaces Josh Cullen.

  8. Post update

    Foul by Becir Omeragic (Switzerland).

  9. Post update

    Evan Ferguson (Republic of Ireland) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

  10. Post update

    Attempt missed. Denis Zakaria (Switzerland) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the right following a set piece situation.

  11. Booking

    Séamus Coleman (Republic of Ireland) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.

  12. Post update

    Becir Omeragic (Switzerland) wins a free kick on the right wing.

  13. Post update

    Foul by Séamus Coleman (Republic of Ireland).

  14. Post update

    Foul by Noah Okafor (Switzerland).

  15. Post update

    Séamus Coleman (Republic of Ireland) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

  16. Post update

    Attempt missed. Adam Idah (Republic of Ireland) right footed shot from outside the box is just a bit too high.

  17. Substitution

    Substitution, Switzerland. Becir Omeragic replaces Fabian Schär.

  18. Substitution

    Substitution, Republic of Ireland. Mark Sykes replaces Sammie Szmodics.

  19. Substitution

    Substitution, Republic of Ireland. Callum O'Dowda replaces Robert Brady.

  20. Substitution

    Substitution, Switzerland. Noah Okafor replaces Xherdan Shaqiri.

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128 comments

  • Comment posted by InActualFact, at 22:40 26 Mar

    Norn Iron the only one of the five British Isles teams to win tonight 😉

    • Reply posted by finnharpsman, at 01:03 27 Mar

      finnharpsman replied:
      It won't be their turn again for another few years so let them enjoy it.

  • Comment posted by paul Shropshire, at 21:59 26 Mar

    What's the best thing about switzerland ? Difficult one, but their flag is a big plus......

    • Reply posted by Rotters, at 22:06 26 Mar

      Rotters replied:
      One of the most beautiful and safe countries in the world. Best public transport system in Europe and probably the world.

      Football wise they're difficult to beat but not much more than that.

  • Comment posted by Gibby, at 23:25 26 Mar

    Doesn't matter who we have as manager.We just don't have the players anymore.

    • Reply posted by Mostly Harmless, at 23:29 26 Mar

      Mostly Harmless replied:
      Give Andy Farrell a go.

  • Comment posted by Driving_to_test_my_eyesight_since_1953, at 21:55 26 Mar

    It was just like watching Brazil. Sadly the Brazil that lost 7 -1 to Germany.

  • Comment posted by Justfacts, at 21:57 26 Mar

    Kelleher has to play regularly now, no excuses

    • Reply posted by Sheiling, at 20:08 27 Mar

      Sheiling replied:
      I know right? How is Bazunu a better goalkeeper?? Doesn't even play Premier League football whereas Kelleher plays for Liverpool.

  • Comment posted by rolypolyjb, at 06:39 27 Mar

    Some nasty trolls here but the Wales and Scottish hys are much worse and you all share a flag. Nothing like football to bring out the worst in people.

    • Reply posted by adamyclau, at 06:53 27 Mar

      adamyclau replied:
      We don’t share a flag, show me a Welsh supporter with the union flag.

  • Comment posted by Wrist Banned, at 22:59 26 Mar

    Shaqiri’s got to be about 72 years old now, surely? the guys been around for years!

    • Reply posted by DaveG, at 01:21 27 Mar

      DaveG replied:
      Saw him play in the MLS last year. Him and Benteke were best players on the pitch. Says everything about the MLS

  • Comment posted by David, at 22:06 26 Mar

    Look this has to be a permanent fixture, we have to stick with O’Shea as there’s still too much uncertainty. It was good for Azaz and Szmodics to get a run out but we do need to be more clinical.

    • Reply posted by cfc, at 01:53 27 Mar

      cfc replied:
      Are you really trying to say that they are Irish, lol

  • Comment posted by Dermot, at 22:18 26 Mar

    Ireland we're too deep, They had ferguson up front alone, Szmodics shudda been up front with ferguson, too deep too defensive, cant be leaving a striker up front on his own and szmodics with his 20 odd goals out on the wing.

    • Reply posted by finnharpsman, at 01:06 27 Mar

      finnharpsman replied:
      Ferguson is having a terrible season. He should have been left out of the squad to concentrate on training with Brighton.

  • Comment posted by 2024HateandWar, at 22:04 26 Mar

    A narrow defeat is still a wide win for Switzerland

    • Reply posted by SweetDreamer, at 23:33 26 Mar

      SweetDreamer replied:
      Very well observed !

  • Comment posted by Cosmic Hobo, at 23:52 26 Mar

    Ursula Andress, Albert Einstein, William Tell, Heidi etc... your boys ..did reasonably well actually. A credit to the land of cheese, chocolate, Cuckoo clocks

  • Comment posted by oz1796, at 07:52 27 Mar

    The managers job ROI Who would seriously want it
    Work with clowns & muppets in FAI??
    Nov - sack manager
    Nov - March - still no manager
    Feb - appoint temporary manager
    Feb - manager FAI believes is joining now is not
    End of March - search for a manager now begins 😂
    FAI - seriously couldn’t make up that level of utter stupidity

  • Comment posted by James, at 22:38 26 Mar

    The hips don't lie

    Shaqiri shaqiri

  • Comment posted by User0921224906, at 22:04 26 Mar

    Sorry Ireland, but again, Super Shaq does it again.

  • Comment posted by Happy Gilmore, at 07:00 27 Mar

    Ireland are a dire football team, Jack Charlton would be embarrassed 😞 zero talent

    • Reply posted by No Importance to Politicians, at 12:24 27 Mar

      No Importance to Politicians replied:
      That's why he trawled these islands for anyone with the most tenuous of heritage links to sign up for them.

  • Comment posted by OTLEYWHITE1987, at 10:52 27 Mar

    Lets face it football is the 4th sport of Ireland. In UK kids play football first and other sports as a fill in, in RoI its the other way around. There are around 300k boys aged 15-24. Its a small pool to pull from never mind share with other sports

    • Reply posted by Buster, at 12:19 27 Mar

      Buster replied:
      Interesting observation.

  • Comment posted by fawltyoldboy, at 23:01 26 Mar

    So how long before the Eamon Dunphy Brigade start calling for John O'Shea's head? A draw and a defeat to start his caretaker role - I'm curious as to how my fellow RoI fans view the big picture after 2 decades+ of mediocrity/stagnation for our international team. What are the realistic expectations for JOS?

    • Reply posted by finnharpsman, at 00:51 27 Mar

      finnharpsman replied:
      The realistic expectation is that we do not finish last in any group whether it is Nations League or major tournament qualifying.

  • Comment posted by Gazolba, at 07:56 27 Mar

    Republic beaten by the combined cantons.

  • Comment posted by alan, at 12:22 27 Mar

    Currently 96 comments here, and about three mention the match. We've had GAA, poverty, Northern Ireland, North Korea, etc.

    • Reply posted by Cosmic Hobo, at 16:34 27 Mar

      Cosmic Hobo replied:
      I'm afraid Alan it always seems to be the case on these international message boards (anthems etc). I enjoy a wee bit of banter tbf but politics always seem to creep in. It's about scoring political points rather than about football.

  • Comment posted by The Poznan, at 22:48 26 Mar

    It was a good - game.