Switzerland secure top spot in Group I after 1-1 draw with Israel

Israel and Switzerland ended the final game of Group I of Euro 2024 qualifiers with a 1-1 draw on Wednesday night.

Switzerland were couple of minutes away from qualifying to EURO 2024 tonight, but Israel stopped them with a late goal.

Switzerland will have new chance to qualify on Saturday when they host Kosovo.

Israel will have to defeat both Romania and Andorra to keep chances to qualify. pic.twitter.com/vVRhkasLBZ

— Football Rankings (@FootRankings) November 15, 2023

The Swiss started the game strongly and overall created the more dangerous chances, while Israel was on the back foot.

The visitors efforts were soon rewarded as Ruben Vargas broke the deadlock in the beginning of the second half.

However, the hosts, who were playing on neutral stadium in Hungary due to the ongoing war with Hamas, hung on there and struck back late on substitution Shon Weissman, who came in just 7 minutes earlier.

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It was enough to secure the point and Israel may have even walked away with the full 3 as the Swiss were reduced to 10 men after tempers boiled up in stoppage time.

But Murat Yakin did hang on as they overtook Romania for first spot in Group I, which gives them direct access to the Euro 2024 next summer.

It was also a memorable night for captain Granit Xhaka, who became he most capped player in Swiss history with 119 appearances.

16 years ago today, Granit Xhaka helped Switzerland win the U17 World Cup.

Tonight, 16 years and 119 games later, he becomes Switzerland’s outright all-time leading appearance maker.

Legacy. 🇨🇭 pic.twitter.com/MNfRF6XNtQ

— Patrick Timmons (@PatrickTimmons1) November 15, 2023