FIFA World Cup 2022: Switzerland advance to Round of 16 after 3-2 victory over Serbia

FIFA World Cup 2022: Switzerland defeated Serbia 3-2 in a jaw-dropping Group G match at Stadium 974 on Friday, December 2. Brazil and the Swiss team advanced to the Round of 16 in the mega event.

FIFA WC 2022: Switzerland advance to Round of 16 after 3-2 victory over Serbia. Courtesy:

By Sabyasachi Chowdhury: Switzerland, on Friday, December 2, made their way through to the Round of 16 in FIFA World Cup 2022 after beating Serbia 3-2 in a thrilling Group G encounter at the Stadium 974 – Ras Abu Aboud.

Along with Switzerland, Brazil also advanced to the second round of the mega event in Qatar. However, Brazil had already qualified prior to their final Group match. Cameroon were knocked out after their match against Dani Alves’s Brazil finished at 0-0.

Xherdan Shaqiri gave Switzerland an all-important lead in the 20th minute. He also became only the third player after Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo to score in all the last three editions of the World Cup, in 2014, 2018 and 2022 respectively.

However, Serbia made a stupendous comeback after Aleksander Mitrovic and Dusan Vlahovic gave Serbia a 2-1 lead within a space of 15 minutes. But Switzerland were never going to throw in the towel. In the 44th minute, Breal Embolo hurled in the equaliser moments before half-time.

At that point in time, all three of Switzerland, Serbia and Cameroon were in with a chance of making it through to the Round of 16. However, the Swiss team held their nerve. Remo Freuler scored the third goal in the 48th minute for his team to make sure that Switzerland had the last laugh.

Serbia managed 54 percent of the ball possession, but couldn’t make proper use of it. In the 69th minute, Switzerland substituted out Shaqiri, but it didn’t make much of a difference to them. Switzerland finished second in the points table below Brazil.