Switzerland vs Italy

St. Jakob-Park is the venue as Switzerland and Italy go head-to-head in an exciting 2022 World Cup qualifier.

Switzerland face the daunting task of becoming the first nation to defeat reigning European champions Italy since September 2018. However, after beating world champions France at long odds in the Euro 2020 last-16, they hope to maintain a 100% start to this World Cup qualifying campaign (W2). Seeking their fifth World Cup finals appearance in succession, the ‘Nati’ have suffered just two losses in their last 46 World Cup qualifying matches (W30, D13), highlighting the potential for presenting the Italians with a stern test here. Curiously, though, Switzerland’s solitary reverse across their last 12 internationals (W7, D4 – 90min only, excluding one walkover triumph) came at the hands of Italy at Euro 2020. A 3-0 thumping in the competition’s group stage, in fact, extended the Swiss winless H2H streak to nine games (D4, L5).

In the meantime, Italy are seemingly suffering a hangover following their outstanding Euro 2020 success, as they struggled to beat underperforming Bulgaria at home last time out. An underwhelming 1-1 draw with the Bulgarians still saw ‘Gli Azzurri’ equal Spain’s 35-match unbeaten European record, meaning they could make history if they avoid defeat here. Before failing to beat Bulgaria, Italy had recorded three back-to-back 2022 World Cup qualifying victories by an identical 2-0 scoreline to take firm control of the proceedings in Group C. After missing out on ‘Russia 2018,’ the resurgent Roberto Mancini’s side seem to be cruising to Qatar 2022. Adding to their confidence, the Italians have opened the scoring in each of their four Group C outings and have picked up four wins ‘to nil’ across their last six away World Cup qualifying fixtures (L2).