Sports

Euro 2021: Wales hold Switzerland to 1-all draw

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Wales supporters celebrating an equalizer

Wales went into the pitch as underdogs with many football gods incantating in favour of Switzerland, giving them many chances of carrying the day, but the resilient Wales managed to contain the pressure and savage a draw.

Switzerland started the game on high note, controlling the proceedings in all the departments. Switzerland dominated possession but wasted numerous chances before Breel Embolo scored the opening goal in the 49th minute.

First he won a corner when his shot was pushed wide after a solo run, then rose above his marker to head in a cross from Xherdan Shaqiri.

As Switzerland thought it was warm and dry for them, Keiffer Moore, With his head wrapped in bandages the same colour as his red shirt, nodded in an equalizer to give Wales a 1-1 draw with Switzerland on Saturday at the European Championship.

The goal off a cross from Joe Morrell in the 74th minute hinted that Wales could again be a surprise contender at Euro 2020, like it was five years ago when the team reached the Euro 2016 semifinals.

For Moore, it was the biggest step so far in a long journey to soccer’s elite after starting in the non-league system in southwest England.

He nearly gave Wales a lead with a looping header which Switzerland goalkeeper Yann Sommer stretched to push over the bar, but he was hurt in a clash on the resulting corner. Moore left the field bleeding and returned in bandages, but was largely cut out of the game as Wales defended deeper in the first half.

Italy leads Group A with three points after its 3-0 win over Turkey on Friday. Wales and Switzerland have one point each.

Maneno Chimulala

I am a journalist, educator, and activist with passion for telling stories about social justice, sports and political issues. I graduated from Mzuzu University. I started my career at the Maravi Post online publication in 2012 as an intern while in college. Upon graduating from Mzuzu University I was offered a job as Sports Reporter because of my background as a goalkeeper and rose to the position of sub editor. I also had a short stint with Nyasatimes, Malawi Punch and Malawi Digest. Over the past seven years, I have worked intimately with rural organizations and communities in Malawi on human rights, girl child education and grassroots development projects. With an academic background in education, I also volunteer as male champion for girls’ education under Girls Empowerment Networks (GENET) in Malawi’s South West Education Division (SWED).