Haris Seferovic scored the UEFA Nations League’s fastest-ever goal as Switzerland beat Portugal 1-0 in Group A2.
Haris Seferovic’s goal was timed at 57 seconds, the fastest-ever in the UEFA Nations League.
Haris Seferovic became the first player to score in the opening minute for the Swiss national side since Alain Sutter in 1988.
Switzerland have won their last three home meetings against Portugal.
This win ended a run of three successive UEFA Nations League defeats for the Swiss.
Switzerland secured their first win of the UEFA Nations League campaign and turned Group A2 on its head with a 1-0 win against Portugal in Geneva.
The hosts belied their position at the bottom of Group A2 by starting on the front foot against a much-changed Portugal side, who were without their talisman Cristiano Ronaldo.
It took just 57 seconds for Switzerland to go in front, Silvan Widmer’s teasing delivery from the right picking out Haris Seferovic in the box. The Benfica forward showed great awareness to direct his powerful header into the far corner of the net, just out of the reach of the helpless Rui Patrício.
Portugal took time to adjust after the early shock and created their best opportunity of the first half 17 minutes in. Bruno Fernandes’ deep corner was nodded back into the danger area by Rúben Neves and Danilo’s powerful header was pushed away expertly by Jonas Omlin.
The visitors looked a different proposition after the interval and it took just four minutes for the 2019 champions to test the Swiss goalkeeper. Andre Silva collected a Nuno Mendes pass, side-footing a low strike that Omlin kept out with his legs.
Switzerland were still a threat on the counter and Seferović could have added a second but dragged his low shot across the face of goal.
Fernando Santos’ men looked buoyed by the introduction of the likes of Gonçalo Guedes, Diogo Jota and Bernardo Silva during the second period and all three provided extra attacking impetus, but Omlin was up to everything they threw at him.
Switzerland striker Haris Seferovic said , “Today we played well and that’s the most important thing. Did the fact that I play in Portugal help? We all know that Portugal are a great team, with great players. Today was another game where we did well and we won.”
Switzerland captain Granit Xhaka said ,”I had a good feeling before the game because I knew we could beat a team like Portugal, a bigger team, because we have the quality to. I’m more than happy for the team, for the people outside who are always supporting us. A big three points for us today.”
Portugal defender Danilo said ,”We had a poor first half. We conceded a goal in a way that shouldn’t happen. We were a little poorly organised at the cross and we conceded as a result. We tried to react, but unfortunately it was not our day for the ball to go in. We still have two games and if we win both, we qualify.”
Portugal coach Fernando Santos said , “A goal conceded inside 60 seconds ends up changing the game, and the team took time to find themselves but they managed to pick themselves up. In the second half the team did everything it had to do. It lacked a bit of effectiveness, it was the anxiety of wanting to score. We did a lot of good things in the second half and I think this result was unfair.”
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Nations League Switzerland Portugal Football Sports Kolkata
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