FIFA World Cup 2018: Swiss overcome 0-1 deficit to beat Serbia 2-1
Overcoming 0-1 deficit at the end of first half, Switzerland scored twice in the second half to beat Serbia 2-1 to throw open group E in the FIFA World Cup on Friday. Xherdan Shaqiri did it for Switzerland seconds before the end of stipulated period
The third round matches will now decide which two teams from group E go to the round of 16
The clash between the two European teams, their first ever encounter in the World Cup, witnessed some pulsating soccer.
A goal in the fifth minute gave Serbia the lead. It was the third fastest goal of the tournament so far. Mitrovic was the scorer.
At the start, Serbia, were at the top of the table with three points, having beaten Costa Rica in the first game. Till end of the first half, they looked convincing victors and certain to make the last 16 round.
However, the game changed sides after the breather. Swiss came back a different side. In the seventh minute in the second half it was Granit Xhaka who levelled the scores with a superb goal.
As the game appeared to be heading for a draw, Xherdan Shaqiri made it decisive. His earlier attempt at the goal had proved abortive as his powerful shot hit the goalpost and went out. But in the dying moments of the game, he managed to slid the ball past goalkeeper of Serbia to earn full points for his team.
Now Serbia vs Brazil and Switzerland vs Costa Rica games will decide which two teams advance to the round of 16.
