SWITZERLAND BOOST WORLD CUP HOPES

Switzerland have boosted their Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup tournament hopes with an emphatic away win over Lithuania in Group C of the European qualifiers.

Switzerland began the latest set of qualifiers in the group with a six-point deficit to leaders Italy but they have been able to close the gap following wins over the Northern Ireland and Lithuania. The Swiss team took complete of the Italians not in action to take a big step towards automatic qualification in the group.

It is important to point out that only the group winners will advance to Qatar 2022 automatically, while the teams in second place will have their own opportunity to qualify for the tournament via the playoffs.

Italy were in not in World Cup qualifying action for the latest set of games in Group C due to their UEFA Nations League commitments and Switzerland took full advantage by winning their two games in hand over the Italians.

Switzerland won the two games to move level on points with Italy at the top. The Italians are holding top spot ahead of the Swiss team due to a slightly better goal difference ahead of the final two games in their group.

In the first of their two games this month, Steven Zuber and Christian Fassnacht scored at the end of first half and at the end of second half respectively to lead the Swiss team to a 2-0 win at home. The second game was more emphatic as Switzerland scored four goals without reply from their hosts. Breel Embolo (two goals), Mario Gavranovic and Renato Steffen all scored to give Switzerland a 4-0 victory over the Lithuanians.

In the biggest game in the group, Italy will play hosts to Switzerland next month in a game that could determine who takes the automatic spot in their group. The Italians will qualify for the World Cup tournament in Qatar if they beat the Swiss team. In their second game for next month, Switzerland take on Bulgaria at home, while Italy have a tricky away fixture against the Northern Ireland.