Match Summary

Switzerland Team

England Team

England decided to go with Joleon Lescott to partner Phil Jagielka at the centre of defence, following the injury to Michael Dawson against Bulgaria.  That was the first surprise of the evening in a game that was always going to be one of the most difficult of their group matches.  But England's positive approach in the first half almost gave them an unassailable lead by half-time, such was their dominance.  At times they ripped Switzerland apart with their swift attacking moves and early on both Theo Walcott and Glen Johnson put in dangerous crosses, just too high.  Certainly it was England in the ascendancy and Switzerland were struggling to contain Fabio Capello's team.

The terrific start was finally emphasised when England took a tenth minute lead.  Who scored the goal, who else but Wayne Rooney!  After all the revelations and accusations aimed at the Manchester United player over the past few days it was suggested by some that he shouldn't play in this match, but how can England really afford to leave out their best player?  Rooney rewarded Mr Capello's faith in him by getting on the end of a fine cross by Glen Johnson after the full-back had sprinted down the right wing.  Jermaine Defoe jumped over the ball and Rooney was left with the simplest of tap-ins for his 26^th England goal.  The subdued celebrations of Rooney suggested he did have other more important things on his mind but nothing should be taken away from the player, who once again showed his top form throughout.

The only blot on the goalscoring moment came when it was realised that Walcott had gone down with what appeared to be a leg injury.  He was actually carried off, to be replaced by Adam Johnson.  The injury did not seem to upset the rhythm of the team though, and England continued to dominate after the goal, and they should really have wrapped up the result before the interval.  Defoe was again looking sharp although on a couple of occasions the ball just would not drop kindly for him.  Adam Johnson almost set the Tottenham striker up again shortly afterwards but Defoe's shot went over.  Switzerland meanwhile hardly had an attack worthy of the name although, after Adam Johnson fired in a scorcher from 25 yards that flew just over, Degan missed a good chance with a volley at the far post, the home side's first real attempt on goal.

Another chance fell to Defoe with three minutes of the half left.  Rooney gave him possession and with a clever bit of footwork Defoe created space to unleash a fierce shot which goalkeeper Benaglio did well to parry.  And how England never increased their lead with a minute of the half left one will never know.  Adam Johnson set up Rooney who went round the keeper and crossed for Defoe but somehow a defender headed out from his goalline.  England could reflect on an utterly dominant first half, although the fact that it was still only 1-0 did cause a little concern.

After the break though England began like a train and Adam Johnson, who shows no sign of nerves playing for his country, again went mighty close with a great volley just a minute into the half.  England were still in control of the game but Switzerland at last came into things a little more.  In a 10 minute spell after the 50^th minute mark they even had England showing some desperation in their defending.  Lescott and Jagielka were at last put under some pressure and Joe Hart, previously virtually a spectator, contrived to drop a couple of innocuous crosses to add to the sense of uncertainty.  Surely England would not throw this match away?  James Milner was booked, a yellow card that will keep him out of the next game, and Lichtsteiner also received a booking for a wild challenge.  Eight minutes later the Swiss player made an awful challenge on Milner and duly received an obvious second yellow followed by a red from the Italian referee.

England needed to press home their territorial and one man advantage and on 68 minutes they did just that with a delightful second goal.  Steven Gerrard and Rooney were involved in a good build up move and when Adam Johnson received possession from his captain he calmly kept his head, waltzed around the goalkeeper and tapped into the empty net.  Game over!

It would take something a little special to bring the home side back into this match and that is exactly what happened just three minutes after England's second goal.  Eighteen year old substitute, Xherdan Shaqiri, who actually plays for Basel on this ground, picked the ball up wide on the right, cut inside and let fly with a sweet left foot drive into the top corner that stunned Hart and England.  It was a goal right out of the blue but a superb finish nonetheless.

England were not to be phased by the goal and they sensibly held good possession over the next few minutes, taking any possible momentum away from Switzerland.  In fact it was England who attacked well in the remaining minutes.  Shaun Wright- Phillips came on for Rooney and Defoe was replaced by Darren Bent.  At this point there were six Manchester City players on the pitch for England and Wright-Phillips should really have teed Bent up with another goal but completely fluffed his attempted pass.  But England were not to be denied and they finally put a more realistic scoreline on the game with a third goal in the 87^th minute.  Ashley Cole, who had attacked well when required, this time found himself in the inside-left position with lots of time to measure a pass forward to Bent.  The Sunderland striker's finish was exquisite, a low left-footer past the keeper's near post.  The goal was no less that England deserved.

This match was a potential banana skin for England, but they passed this particular test with flying colours.  There was very little negativity to be mustered by the fans or media after the match and Capello must be delighted with the six points gained over the past five days.

Source Notes

BBC Sport
TheFA.com
SkySports.com/football
ASF/SFV website
UEFA.com
Mike Payne - football historian and contributor
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CG