Portugal – Switzerland

Portugal do not look like clear favourites against a resilient Switzerland

Portugal will play Switzerland in their final play-off match on Tuesday 6 December. The game does not look easy for the nominal favourites. The Portuguese team left a mixed impression in the group stage. Only two matches are worth considering, as the reserves took to the pitch against South Korea. Both of Portugal's first two matches turned out to be extremely difficult. The team has many star and talented performers in the attacking line. A lot is sharpened on Ronaldo, and Cristiano is objectively in poor form. The leader scored one goal from a dubious penalty. Portugal beat Ghana with great difficulty. Next up was a tough match against Uruguay. The South Americans could have bounced back. Uruguay created two or three clear goalscoring chances. Once again, a dubious penalty, later ruled wrong by FIFA, decided the game. In the game against South Korea, Fernando Santos decided to field a reserve team and Ronaldo. The game turned out to be a failure. The reserves did not display the necessary zeal. Switzerland went evenly through the whole tournament. The cheese side's main trump card is their total organization and discipline in all the lines. In the match against Cameroon, Switzerland did not have a big advantage, but goalkeeper Sommer and the defenders managed to defend the three points. Next, Murat Yakin's men put up very decent resistance to Brazil without Jerdan Shaqiri. The emphasis was on total defence. Such a calculation was almost justified. Brazil scored the winning goal only in the closing stages. It can be said that the Swiss held back their most dangerous attack in Qatar. Against Serbia, the team showed another trump card - character. In the key match, the team was on the verge of relegation, but coolly solved the issue, scoring three goals against the Serbs. Switzerland have already met their minimum target for the tournament. Now they can play freely and without any extra pressure. One of the big surprises for the match against Serbia was the absence of their main goalkeeper Jan Sommer. The goalkeeper has missed the game through illness. There is also the question of his availability in the play-offs. Number two Kobel proved a worthy substitute, although he made a few errors. Portugal have already lost key defender Nuno Mendes in the tournament. He is out until the end of the competition. The play-off match should not be expected to result in a hail of goals. Switzerland will follow the same tactical model that was used in the game with Brazil. They have a solid defence, with plenty of space for quick counterattacks. Plus the form of Brill Embolo may be a significant factor. The Swiss striker has a taste for goals. Portugal remain favourites, but a drawn match with extra time is likely.