Haris Seferovic scored in the 93rd minute to stun Ecuador 2-1 on Sunday in Brazil. Credit: Michael Sohn/AP
Only three times in 2010 did a team holding a 1-0 lead lose.
Through three days in 2014, four teams have lost after striking first.
Ecuador became team number five on Sunday. After being down 1-0, Switzerland scored twice in the second half, including the game winner in extra time with only seconds remaining, to take three points away from Ecuador with a 2-1 victory.
Enner Valencia headed a ball off a set piece to give Ecuador a 1-0 lead at the end of the first half. The second half though saw the Swiss equalize thanks to a goal off a corner by substitute Admir Mehmedi just three minutes in.
Ecuador kept attacking and pushing the ball through the final third of the field but could not convert on any of their opportunities. Meanwhile, Switzerland found their game and began to possess the ball, seemingly content with a 1-1 tie.
Switzerland looked to have taken a 2-1 lead in the 70th minute, but Josip Drmic’s goal was disallowed as the assistant referee ruled Drmic was in an offside position, much to the dismay of those in red and white.
In the latter stages of the match, Ecuador poured on the attack in an attempt to wrestle three points away from the Swiss. Ecuador soared down with numbers on an all out attack on Switzerland, but Swiss defender Valon Behrami made a game saving tackle inside the box before sending Switzerland into a counter attack. This led to Ricardo Rodriguez sending a cross from the left side into the box where substitute Haris Seferovic powered home the game winning goal with only seconds left in the game, stunning Ecuador.
Switzerland, ranked no. 6 in FIFA’s international rankings, were criticized for not being deserving of such a high ranking. But after failing to get out of the group in 2010, Switzerland proved that they have the upper hand, along with France who also won today, of being in the top two and advancing to the knockout stage.
As for Ecuador, they became the fifth team to lose after taking a 1-0 lead. Their next match will be a “make or break” match against France, in which a win or draw will be of utmost importance before their final match against Honduras.
The Nestel Cup 