Switzerland

Today's Talking Points

1
Switzerland's tournament is over after a 3-1 extra-time loss to Argentina in the quarterfinal on July 11 in Kansas City — a defeat, but also their best World Cup finish since 1954. Argentina went 1-0 up inside 10 minutes, Switzerland equalised, and then it all turned on one refereeing moment in the 71st.
2
The high point was topping their group and then grinding out two knockout wins nobody expected: a 2-0 win over Algeria in the round of 32, then a 0-0 stalemate with Colombia in the round of 16 settled 4-3 on penalties. Two clean, nervy knockout wins from a team that usually exits tournaments quietly.
3
The turning point against Argentina was cruel: with the score level at 1-1, Breel Embolo was shown a second yellow card for simulation after a VAR review in the 71st minute, leaving Switzerland to play the last 20 minutes plus extra time with 10 men. Argentina scored twice after that. Mention this gently — it's the kind of decision that divides pundits, not a moral failing.
4
Dan Ndoye was the breakout name of Switzerland's run — the winger scored the equaliser against Argentina and gave their attack a directness it's lacked for years. Say his name right and you'll sound like you actually watched the games: it's pronounced en-DOY-eh, not "en-doy."
5
Switzerland leave as the team that quietly had one of the best tournaments of anyone eliminated before the semifinals. Manager Murat Yakin will get plenty of credit for a run that outperformed expectations, and Swiss football gets a genuine talking point for the next four years: 1954 no longer being the answer to 'when did Switzerland last do this well.'

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Top thing to say down the pub Switzerland's best World Cup since 1954 ended the way most great Swiss runs seem to — on penalties won, then a red card and extra time lost to Argentina in the quarterfinal.

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Avoid saying "Switzerland were never going to do anything anyway" — they just posted their best World Cup finish in 70 years and took Argentina to extra time with 10 men. Say that instead and you'll sound like you were paying attention.

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