Unanimous view: Switzerland hold Israel without conceding a goal

Switzerland demonstrated defensive strength again in the second leg of the World Cup qualification against Israel: under coach Rafel Navarro the team kept a clean sheet for the second time and won the match in style 2-0. The relief of finally keeping a clean sheet again was great, as the players emphasized.

Defensive Discipline in Focus

Goalkeeper Livia Peng explained that it had been very important for the team not to concede a goal, and praised the reaction to the previous match. Captain Lia Wälti added that the controlled play and the aim of keeping a clean sheet had been implemented consistently. Nadine Riesen also highlighted that the team played compactly, retained possession and avoided conceding a goal.

Offensive Weakness Despite Clear Instructions

Although the defence was convincing, the attack faltered. The hoped‑for goal spectacle against the supposedly weaker opponent did not materialise, and the players admitted that they sometimes wished for one more goal. Peng noted, however, that the many goals scored in the games overall build confidence.

Nati nears World Cup spot after Israel win – Austria next hurdle

Looking Ahead: Austria as the Next Challenge

In the next step Switzerland will face Austria, a clearly stronger side that will demand a higher tempo and more goals. Wälti warned that the pace of the game will be much faster and that Switzerland will have to step up to keep up. The overall aggregate of 9-3 against Israel, however, shows that the combination of offensive performance in the first leg and defensive stability in the second leg provides a solid foundation for the upcoming matches.

The squad emphasized that the insights gathered from the two matches are valuable and strengthen confidence in their own style of play. The unified tone in the team, that they finally kept a clean sheet again, underscores the positive atmosphere and the shared determination to meet the next challenges successfully.

Switzerland advance to World Cup playoffs keeping a clean sheet