Switzerland vs. Portugal: Score, Reaction from World Cup 2018 Qualifier

Portugal may be coming off their first European championship, but they learned the hard way qualification to the 2018 World Cup won’t come easy. The Euro 2016 winners fell, 2-0, to the Swiss on Tuesday night at St. Jakob-Park in Basel, Switzerland.

The Portuguese were without their best player, as Cristiano Ronaldo continues to miss time as a result of the knee injury he suffered in the Euro 2016 final. His creativity and playmaking ability were sorely lacking Tuesday, since Portugal struggled mightily in the final third.

However, defending was a far bigger issue for Portugal. Switzerland were up 2-0 by the 30th minute following goals from Breel Embolo and Admir Mehmedi.

The European champions are losing by two goals to Switzerland. ¯_(ツ)_/¯ pic.twitter.com/J3SFlhO3ic

— Bleacher Report UK (@br_uk) September 6, 2016

For Embolo’s opener in the 24th minute, Portugal goalkeeper Rui Patricio failed to knock Ricardo Rodriguez’s free-kick out of danger. Instead, he deflected the ball right into the path of Embolo, who had a free header after being left unmarked just outside the six-yard box.

Fox Soccer shared a replay of the goal:

The European champs are down early in their first 2018 #WCQ, as Breel Embolo gives Switzerland the lead. #SUIPOR https://t.co/8BVnMZRzcJ

— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) September 6, 2016

Two defensive mistakes also led to Mehmedi’s tally six minutes later. Left back Raphael Guerreiro didn’t track Haris Seferovic’s run down the right …

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