GENEVA (AP) — With group leader Italy away on Nations League duty, Switzerland took control of second place in their World Cup qualifying section after beating Northern Ireland 2-0 on Saturday.
Goals from Steven Zuber and substitute Christian Fassnacht arrived in stoppage time at the end of each half, and both came after the Irish were reduced to 10 men.
Both goals came on fast breaks through an overrun Irish defense, yet were poor reward for Switzerland’s 25 attempts, seven on target, in a Europe Group C where Italy’s superior goal difference could yet be decisive.
Northern Ireland was undermanned from the 37th minute when defender Jamal Lewis was shown a second yellow card for taking too long to deliver a throw-in.
The win lifted the Swiss six points clear of the Irish in second place with three rounds of games left.
Switzerland is three points behind Italy and can draw level on Tuesday by winning at last-placed Lithuania, which got its first points by beating Bulgaria 3-1 on Saturday.
