Manuel Akanji helps Switzerland earn point against Italy in crucial World Cup qualifier

Manuel Akanji and Switzerland remain in the hunt to directly qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup after they held Italy to a 1-1 draw on Friday evening. 

Manuel Akanji started for Switzerland as they took on Italy in a crucial qualifier for the 2022 FIFA World Cup. The two sides went into the game level on points, with the European Champions narrowly ahead on goal difference. Switzerland got off to a dream start and took the lead in just the 11th minute through Silvan Widmer, who rifled his first-time shot into the top corner from the edge of the box.

Italy responded well and got their equaliser in the 36th minute. Giovanni Di Lorenzo got on the end of Lorenzo Insigne’s well worked free-kick and headed the ball into the back of the net. The Azzurri had a golden chance to win the game at the death as they were awarded a penalty. But Jorginho blasted his 90th minute penalty over the bar to ensure that the spoils were shared.

Italy are still top in Group C with one game left in the qualifiers, but Switzerland are only behind on goal difference. If both teams win their final qualifier, Switzerland will have to score three goals more than Italy in order to directly qualify for the World Cup. Otherwise, Italy will qualify directly and Switzerland will advance to the play-off round.

Elsewhere, Jude Bellingham came off the bench in the 64th minute as England earned a resounding 5-0 win over Albania to all but qualify for the World Cup. Harry Kane scored a hat-trick for the Euro 2020 runners-up.