Gary Connaughton reporting from the Aviva Stadium
Ireland 0-1 Switzerland
After a decent showing against Belgium on Saturday night, it was hoped that Ireland would kick on with another good display against the Swiss at the Aviva Stadium. Unfortunately, it was the type of performance that lacked quite a bit of intent on both sides of the ball.
Switzerland, who came into this fixture with one win in their last eight, were the superior side for the vast majority of the contest. They were comfortable on the ball and rarely looked threatened at the back, especially for the first hour or so.
Ireland did not concede many chances themselves, although a first half free-kick from Xherdan Shaqiri would ultimately prove to be their undoing. At the other end, they could never quite put together the types of attack that would trouble the opposition, despite pushing for an equaliser in the final 15 minutes or so.
In the end, John O’Shea could have few complaints about the final result. Here’s how we rated the Ireland performances on the night.
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Ireland player ratings vs Switzerland
Gavin Bazunu – 5
You could argue that Bazunu was beaten a bit easily on his near side for the Swiss opener, even if it was an excellent free-kick from Shaqiri. His range of passing was also quite poor, certainly in comparison to what we saw from Caoimhín Kelleher against Belgium.
Not his best performance for Ireland.
Andrew Omobamidele – 6
Had Ireland’s only opportunity of note in the first half, although his fairly tame header did not trouble the Swiss goalkeeper. He also collided with Evan Ferguson in the box a few minutes later when the Brighton man had a headed chance of his own.
Did okay on he defensive end.
Nathan Collins – 6
Collins was fairly solid at the back throughout, with most of the Swiss attacks coming down either flank. He also dealt well with some high balls into the Irish penalty area.
Dara O’Shea – 7
O’Shea was very harshly done by to concede the free-kick that led to the opener, with the Swiss player conning the referee with a clear dive. Otherwise, he was relatively comfortable.
His ability on the ball has improved quite a bit in recent times, something that showed in this game.
Seamus Coleman – 7
Appearing in a second successive Ireland fixture for the first time since 2021, Coleman was kept busy from a defensive sense in the first half by tricky Swiss winger Dan Ndoye. He did get involved up the other end and was often Ireland’s most advanced attacker down that right flank.
He moved into the back three for the final half hour of the game and continued to perform well.
Josh Cullen – 7
Cullen did his best to give Ireland an option when playing out from the back, but the two-man central midfield was often crowded out by Swiss bodies in the Irish defensive third.
The Burnley man worked incredibly hard and did play some decent forward passes when given the opportunity. He was a rare bright spot on the night.
Jason Knight – 5
Recommended
Knight was a non-factor in possession in the first half, not really providing an option in the middle third and lacking some urgency on the occasion he did get on it.
Coming off ten minutes into the second half, it was not his finest performance in a green jersey.
Robbie Brady – 6
Brady was incredibly quiet in the opening half, with his only contributions coming from set-piece deliveries. To be fair, he did swing in a couple of excellent crosses.
In fact, his set-pieces were the only occasions when Ireland ever really looked like they might score.
Sammie Szmodics – 8
Szmodics impressed once again with his ability to play the ball in tight spaces, a trait that is not all that common elsewhere in the Irish squad. He also showed a nice switch of play at times and pressed the best out of everyone in the home team.
He played a number of excellent passes to set teammates away and was clearly Ireland’s brightest spark in attack. The best player in green on the night.
Mikey Johnston – 5
Coming into the side for the injured Chiedozie Ogbene, Johnston played with plenty of intent right from the off. In saying that, he was wasteful in possession on more than a few occasions.
He could not be faulted for effort, but things just would not come off for him. Replaced before the half hour mark.
Evan Ferguson – 6
There was a frightening lack of service for Evan Ferguson throughout much of the first half, with the only balls hit in his direction being long hopeful ones that the young striker did his best to compete in the air for. He grew visibly frustrated as the half went on and you couldn’t blame him.
That continued in the second half, although the Brighton man continued to put himself about and work hard for the team.
Substitutes
Matt Doherty – 6
Doherty injected some life into the Irish play after coming, producing some tidy passes in the final third. Also got involved in and around the box on a couple of occasions.
Will Smallbone – 5
Did not have much of an impact on the play after his introduction.
Adam Idah – 7
Idah showed well for the ball after coming on and did cause a few issues for the Swiss defence.
Mark Sykes, Callum O’Dowda, & Finn Azaz – N/A
Not on long enough to rate, with Azaz coming on in the 86th minute for his international debut and looking dangerous.
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