Schär and Switzerland defeat the European Champions

Fabian Schär started as part of Switzerland’s back four against Portugal and played the full 90 minutes. Switzerland went ahead in the 23rd minute through Schalke 04 striker Breel Embolo before Bayer Leverkusen’s Mehmedi doubled the lead seven minutes later. Switzerland had the possibility to make it 3-0 in the second half but Portugal also came close with a header that came back off the woodwork.

Bosnia and Herzegovina also began their qualifying campaign with a win. They went ahead through a Spahic strike in the seventh minute and increased their lead thanks to a Dzeko penalty before the break. Ermin Bicakcic watched on from the sideline as his team continued pushing and was eventually introduced into the action in the 62nd minute. Medunjanin got in on the scoring in the 71st minute for Bosnia before Ibisevic made it 4-0 and Spahic rounded off the scoring, as Bicakcic & Co. recorded a comfortable 5-0 victory.

No goals for Szalai and Vargas

Adam Szalai began on the bench for Hungary against the Faroe Islands but was subbed in just after the half-an-hour mark.

Eduardo Vargas also ended the international break with a goalless draw. The 0-0 draw for Chile against Bolivia followed a loss against Paraguay last week. Vargas started once again and played the full game. Chile are currently seventh in the South American qualifying group for the 2018 World Cup with eleven points after eight matches.

U21s on course

The Germany U21s won their eight qualifier for the 2017 European Championship in Poland. They secured a 1-0 victory away in Sweden through Serge Gnabry’s solo goal in the 41st minute. The DFB youth team controlled the game from the outset and had many more chances to score. TSG’s Nadiem Amiri came close to doubling Germany’s lead in the 70th minute but his effort from 22 yards went just wide. Amiri & Co. now just need one more win to secure their place at the 2017 European Championship.