Home / Sports / Football / Article / FIFA World Cup 2018: Swiss through to last 16 but lose captain Lichtsteiner

FIFA World Cup 2018: Swiss through to last 16 but lose captain Lichtsteiner

They continually stretched the Swiss defence in the first half and looked the most likely to take all three points in the second.

Listen to this article :
Costa Rica's defender Bryan Oviedo and Switzerland's defender Stephan Lichtsteiner. Pic/AFP

Costa Rica's defender Bryan Oviedo and Switzerland's defender Stephan Lichtsteiner. Pic/AFP

Switzerland moved through to the World Cup last 16 on Wednesday, after a draw over Costa Rica but will be without captain Stephan Lichtsteiner because of suspension. A 93rd minute own goal by the unfortunate keeper Yann Sommer from a Bryan Ruiz penalty gave the central American side a deserved 2-2 draw on a night of late drama in Nizhny Novgorod. That wiped out a Swiss lead which had lasted only two minutes after substitute Josep Drmic slotted home to apparently give the Swiss an undeserved victory. Earlier Blerim Dzemaili had thumped home in the first half to give Switzerland the lead against the run-of-play in the 31st minute against the team who finished bottom of Group E. That goal was cancelled out by Kendall Waston's header in the 56th minute, the central Americans first goal of the tournament. The draw ensured Switzerland finished second in the group behind Brazil.

But Switzerland will be left counting the cost after yellow cards for experienced defenders Lichtsteiner and Fabian Schaer means they will miss the game against Sweden in Saint Petersburg on July 3. Lichtsteiner received a yellow card for a late tackle on Daniel Colindres in the 37th minute. It was the Arsenal player's second yellow of the tournament after being booked in the opening game against Brazil. He was one of three players who had escaped a ban going into the match after the controversial "double eagle" goal celebrations in the fevered 2-1 victory over Serbia. Then late on Schaer also received his second yellow card of the tournament, also ruling him out of the Sweden match. The point was no more than Costa Rica deserved for a fine performance.

Read Next Story
FIFA World Cup 2018: Mexican fans celebrate win outside Korean embassy

Trending Stories

Latest Photoscta-pos

Latest VideosView All

Latest Web StoriesView All

Mid-Day FastView All

Advertisement