SWITZERLAND 2-5 FRANCE
Bad news to start the game for Switzerland as starting central defender Steve von Bergen got caught with a high leg by Olivier Giroud. He immediately left the game to be replaced by Philippe Senderos. CBC stated on their broadcast that von Bergen went straight to hospital with what was believe to be a fractured cheekbone and potential damage to his eye. His tournament is likely over for Switzerland.
von Bergen missed an absolute onslaught by the French team in this one. Threatening the Swiss goal from the start, France got on the board in the 17th minute. 6'4" Olivier Giroud rose above everyone in the penalty area and got his head to a corner kick. Diego Benaglio dove and got his fingertips to the ball but not enough to drive it out of the corner of his goal and France led 1-0.
The floodgates opened not 2 minutes later. On the restart after the goal, the Swiss turned the ball over in midfield leading to a quick French counter-attack. Karim Benzema found Blaise Matuidi running down the left flank and Matuidi's shot eluded Benaglio inside the near post for the 2-0 lead.
Switzerland saw some glimmers of hope as the half progressed. Granit Xhaka volleyed home a bouncing ball in the French area but was just offside on the play. That was followed shortly by Xherdan Shaqiri firing just wide on a big Hugo Lloris rebound. Turning up the pressure was risky though and Switzerland paid right after.
Left back Stephan Lichtsteiner gave the ball away in midfield and left all kinds of room for Benzema to explode up the wing. Benzema was eventually brought down for a penalty kick in the Swiss area. The penalty was saved by Benaglio and Yohan Cabaye fired the rebound in to the crossbar. Switzerland escaped that time but it was clear from this point on this was France's day.
A Mathieu Valbuena goal just before half put an end to any doubt of that fact. Benzema and Moussa Sssoko also scored in the second half to send France up 5-0. Switzerland came to life in the closing stages, as both Blerim Dzemaili and Xhaka found the back of the net but it was far too late.
Fitting for the game and his tournament, Benzema scored as the game ended but the referee blew the full-time whistle just before the ball went in and the goal was waved off. Currently tied for the goal scoring lead with 3 goals, Benzema has also had a missed penalty kick, and 2 goals taken away from him by officials so far. Not a bad effort through 2 games.
Goals
Switzerland: Blerim Dzemaili (81'), Granit Xhaka (87')
France: Olivier Giroud (17'), Blaise Matuidi (18'), Mathieu Valbuena (40'), Karim Benzema (67'), Moussa Sissoko (73')
Discipline
Switzerland: N/A
France: Yohan Cabaye (Yellow 88' - Misses next game)
Man of the Match
So many options for France...Karim Benzema scored one, and assisted on two other goals to continue his brilliant World Cup. That isn't including a saved penalty kick and his volley at game end that was discounted by the referee's final whistle. Absolutely everywhere for France and Switzerland had no hope of containing him.
Key Moment
Immediately after falling down 1-0, Switzerland turned the ball over in midfield off the restart. Benzema played the ball through for Blaise Matuidi who carefully put it between Benaglio and the near post for the 2-0 lead, just over a minute after their first tally. The rout was on at this point as Switzerland were never going to come back from this point onward.
What we learned from Switzerland
Went from surrendering 2 goals in their past 8 World Cup matches to giving up 5 in one game. It very easily could have been much more if not for Diego Benaglio bailing them out in goal on a few saves. No support from the midfield on French counter-attacks and Swiss defence unable to handle the precise passing and speed of the French off the wings. They have a chance to recuperate in their last game against Honduras but this was ugly and not sure how they'll cope if they can make the knockout round.
What we learned from France
This team is frightening when they have the ball on the attack. 5 goals from 5 different players in this game and every rush up the field it looked as if they would find a way to get the ball in the back of the net. Gave up a pair of goals in garbage time but held the Swiss at bay for the rest of the game defensively. Not a team at the World Cup that can claim to be better in every aspect of the game then France is.
Going Forward
Math has to be sorted out but France should end up winning the group with Switzerland coming second. Critical victory for France though who should be able to avoid Argentina in the Round of 16. Way they're playing though, it may not matter who they face. Switzerland catch a break with Honduras to close off their group stage. Need 3 points against the weak Honduran team to secure advancement though.
Math has to be sorted out but France should end up winning the group with Switzerland coming second. Critical victory for France though who should be able to avoid Argentina in the Round of 16. Way they're playing though, it may not matter who they face. Switzerland catch a break with Honduras to close off their group stage. Need 3 points against the weak Honduran team to secure advancement though.
