UEFA Nations League 2022/23 – Switzerland beat Portugal 1-0: Portugal suffered their first defeat of the Nations League campaign after Haris Seferovic scored the winner in a 1-0 victory for Switzerland in Geneva. Switzerland took the lead through Seferovic inside the first minute but Portugal couldn’t answer back as they missed their star man Cristiano Ronaldo. Follow Nations League LIVE Updates with InsideSport.IN
Check out Latest Nations League 2022/23 Points Table and Full Schedule
UEFA Nations League 2022/23: Switzerland beat Portugal 1-0 as Haris Seferovic scores the fastest Nations League goal, Watch Switzerland beat Portugal HIGHLIGHTS
Portugal handed the advantage to Spain in their Nations League group after falling to defeat against Switzerland.
🗒️ REPORT: Haris Seferović’s early header gave Switzerland their first Group A2 win against Portugal in Geneva.
🇨🇭🆚🇵🇹 Who impressed? #NationsLeague
— UEFA Nations League (@EURO2024) June 12, 2022
UEFA Nations League 2022/23: Portugal missed Cristiano Ronaldo in 1-0 defeat to Switzerland
Switzerland raced out the blocks as Seferovic headed into the bottom-left corner from Silvan Widmer’s right-wing cross after just 55 seconds – the fastest goal in Nations League history.
The hosts thought they had a penalty 13 minutes later for a Nuno Mendes handball, but a lengthy VAR check ruled the spot-kick out for an earlier Nico Elvedi foul on Andre Silva.
UEFA Nations League 2022/23: Switzerland beat Portugal 1-0 as Haris Seferovic scores the fastest Nations League goal, Watch Switzerland beat Portugal HIGHLIGHTS, Switzerland’s forward Haris Seferovic (C-R) celebrates after scoring his team’s first goal with Switzerland’s defender Silvan Widmer during the UEFA Nations League – league A group 2 football match between Switzerland and Portugal at the Stade de Geneve in Geneva, on June 12, 2022. (Photo by Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP) (Photo by FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP via Getty Images)Omlin kept his side ahead by denying a close-range Danilo Pereira header, before Rafael Leao headed home shortly after, only to be ruled out for offside.
UEFA Nations League 2022/23: Haris Seferovic scores the fastest Nations League goal
Omlin also stopped a low Andre Silva drive after the interval, while Remo Freuler drilled just wide at the other end.
Seferovic almost extended Switzerland’s lead but arrowed narrowly off target on a rapid counter-attack before Omlin beat away a swerving Bernardo Silva long-range strike.
UEFA Nations League 2022/23: Switzerland beat Portugal 1-0 as Haris Seferovic scores the fastest Nations League goal, Watch Switzerland beat Portugal HIGHLIGHTS, GENEVA, SWITZERLAND – JUNE 12: Granit Xhaka of Switzerland (L) against Bruno Fernandes of Portugal (R) during the UEFA Nations League League A Group 2 match between Switzerland and Portugal at Stade de Geneve on June 12, 2022 in Geneva, Switzerland. (Photo by Jari Pestelacci/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images)The Montpellier stopper carried on his fantastic performance by pushing away a sliding Goncalo Guedes effort and a low Diogo Jota header as Switzerland held on for victory.
What does it mean? Portugal’s top-spot hopes dented
Portugal were arguably fortunate to snatch a draw in their Nations League opener with Spain, but then recorded convincing victories over Switzerland and Czech Republic.
However, they came unstuck in Geneva and were largely off the pace, handing Spain the advantage in Group A2.
With only one team progressing, Portugal may end up needing to beat Spain on the final matchday in September.
UEFA Nations League 2022/23: Switzerland beat Portugal 1-0 as Haris Seferovic scores the fastest Nations League goal, Watch Switzerland beat Portugal HIGHLIGHTS, GENEVA, SWITZERLAND – JUNE 12: Haris Seferovic of Switzerland (C) celebrating his goal with his teammates during the UEFA Nations League League A Group 2 match between Switzerland and Portugal at Stade de Geneve on June 12, 2022 in Geneva, Switzerland. (Photo by Marcio Machado/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images)Swift Seferovic
Not only was Seferovic’s smart flick to open the scoring the fastest goal in Nations League history, but it was also Switzerland’s earliest goal since 1988.
The striker became the first Swiss player to score in the first minute of a game in 34 years, since Alain Sutter managed to do so in World Cup qualifying against Luxembourg.
What’s next?
Switzerland will start the next international break away at Spain in Nations League action on September 24. Portugal visit the Czech Republic on the same day.
UEFA Nations League 2022/23: Switzerland beat Portugal 1-0 as Haris Seferovic scores the fastest Nations League goal, Watch Switzerland beat Portugal HIGHLIGHTS
Follow InsideSport on GOOGLE NEWS