Belgian hit for five by classy Swiss in ‘Chocolate Derby’

On an unforgettable night at the Swissporarena in Lucerne. Switzerland came back from 2-0 down to beat World Cup semi-finalists Belgium 5-2. The three goal win ensures Switzerland’s qualification for the UEFA Nations League finals but leaves Belgium coach Roberto Martinez with many questions to answer about his defensive depth.

Belgium made just one change from the win over Iceland with Nacer Chadli replacing Michy Batshuayi who was on the bench. Belgium lacked a massive amount of talent with Kevin De Bruyne, Marouane Fellaini, Romelu Lukaku and Jan Vertonghen not starting. The Swiss were without Breel Embolo.

Form was on the visitors’ side. Switzerland had lost three of the last four. Belgium had lost only one of their last 20 competitive matches with 18 wins. Switzerland could qualify with a 2-1 win or better. Their hopes of a low scoring one goal win disappeared very sharply.

67 seconds in and a self inflicted wound allowed Belgium the lead through Thorgan Hazard following a sloppy Nico Elvedi back pass who aimed for his goalkeeper Jurgen Sommer without assessing the threat. The goal was a shock to the hosts who had hitherto kept a clean sheet in nine of their last 11 competitive home matches.

Thorgen doubled the score on with game not even 20 minutes in when he shot across Sommer into the despairing keeper’s right hand corner.

Switzerland received  a lifeline nine minutes later when the Italian referee awarded a penalty when Nacer Chadli fouled Kevin Mbabu. Ricardo Rodríguez took a fine penalty and beat Thibaut Courtois to breathe life into the Swiss.

Haris Seferovic  equalised when Xherdan Shaqiri made a superb cushion header to a hopeful Mbabu cross from deep on the Swiss left which Haris Seferovic tapped in with astonishing ease. Switzerland’s last 13 goals had now been scored by 11 different players.

Eden Hazard was just a stride away from giving Belgium back the lead but he was just a yard behind the cross. Youri Tielemans tested Sommer with a long drive which the Swiss keeper held at the second attempt. All of this is just over 35 minutes of pulsating action

Switzerland’s comeback was complete when Rodriguesz’s cross was met by Seferovic to give Switzerland a 3-2 lead before half-time.

At 3-2, Belgium would still qualify which promised more fireworks in the second half.

Seferovic missed a guilt-edged chance to put Switzerland in the driving seat and complete his hat-trick when Elvedi found him with a perfect through ball. He inexplicably fired wide. The Red Devils were certainly the most relieved to get to the hour mark without further drama.

It was Elvedi himself whose mistake led to the opening goal, who made amends by scoring Switzerland’s fourth with a glancing header just after the hour mark from a tantalising Shaqiri cross.

Batshuayi came off the substitutes’ bench replacing the slightly outclassed Chadli as suddenly Belgium had to chase the game. Sommer saved a too straight shot from Eden Hazard.

Seferovic completed his hat-trick five minutes from time with a header following a pinpoint Mbabu cross to make the score an incredible 5-2 to Switzerland and secure their qualification on an incredible night.

Three minutes of stoppage time were added on but the die was cast. Switzerland had come back from two goals down to win the Chocolate Derby 5-2 and book their place in the Finals.

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