Switzerland booked their place in the last 16 despite being held to a late 2-2 draw by Costa Rica in their final game of Group E.
With four points from the first two games, Switzerland needed just a draw against Costa Rica to make it to the knockouts. They took command of the game just after the half-hour mark when Blerim Dzemaili fired them ahead in the 31st minute before Costa Rica scored their first goal of the 2018 World Cup as Kendall Waston’s header got them level.
The game then had dramatic end. Switzerland looked like winning the game when Josip Drmic swept them back into the lead with two minutes of normal time to play. However, after having a penalty appeal turned down following a VAR review in the 89th minute, Costa Rica were awarded a spot-kick two minutes later, with Bryan Ruiz’s effort heading goalwards via the back of goalkeeper Yann Sommer.
Switzerland now head into the last 16 as the second place team in Group E, two points behind Brazil. On the other hand, Costa Rica head home with just one point.
It was Costa Rica who started the game on a strong note. They forced as many as three saves from Sommer in the sixth minute. He initially saved a curling shot from Joel Campbell before Celso Borges powered a header towards goal that forced another save. Finally, Cristian Gamboa tried his luck, but his effort landed straight into Sommer’s hands.
Chances kept on coming for Costa Rica. Five minutes after the three chances, they got another. Daniel Colindres muscled Xherdan Shaqiri off the ball on the left before taking a few strides to the top of the area to strike. However, his effort hit the underside of the crossbar before going wide.
As the game wore on, the Swiss started finding their feet. They drew the first blood in the game when Stephan Lichtsteiner put a great cross into the area, which Breel Embolo headed down at the back post. The ball then fell to a waiting Dzemaili in the middle who fired home.
Costa Rica deservedly equalised 11 minutes after the break. Campbell delivered a corner and it was Waston who rose above others to bullet a header into the back of the net.
Both the teams then failed to create clear cut chances as the game looked set to end in an 1-1 stalemate. However, drama unfolded when Switzerland retook the lead in the 88th minute. But a minute later and Costa Rica were awarded a penalty by referee Clement Turpin after Bryan Ruiz was caught by Ricardo Rodriguez in the box. However, following a VAR review, the decision was overturned.
However, they were awarded another penalty in the first minute of the extra time when Zakaria fouled Campbell. Ruiz stepped up but his effort hit the underside of the crossbar before coming off the body of Sommer and going into the back of the net, handing Costa Rica a deserved point.