Lausanne, Switzerland – The Swiss women’s national team launched their campaign for a spot in the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup with a 2-0 victory over Northern Ireland on Tuesday at the Stade de la Tuilière in Lausanne. Although, despite securing the win, the performance left room for improvement under new manager Rafel Navarro.
The victory marks a positive start for Navarro, who took the reins from Pia Sundhage in November. Switzerland controlled possession for much of the match, holding 70% of the ball in the opening half-hour, but struggled to translate that dominance into clear-cut scoring opportunities. The team’s inability to break down a resolute Northern Ireland defense proved frustrating, highlighting areas that Navarro will need to address quickly.
“The most important thing is the victory, and to not concede any goals,” captain Lia Wälti said after the match, succinctly capturing the team’s focus on securing the three points. But the performance underscored a need for greater attacking precision.
The breakthrough finally came in the 22nd minute through Riola Xhemaili. The PSV Eindhoven forward capitalized on a poorly cleared corner, firing home her eighth goal for the national team. Xhemaili’s goal was a crucial moment, but the Swiss continued to find it difficult to penetrate the Northern Ireland defense consistently.
Navarro acknowledged the team’s struggles, stating, “We made some bad decisions and committed errors that we must not repeat.” The coach’s assessment pointed to a lack of composure and clinical finishing in the final third.
Despite their territorial advantage, Switzerland lacked a cutting edge for much of the game. Viola Calligaris conceded, “We managed well defensively, but we weren’t precise enough going forward, which made things complicated.” The team created few genuine chances, with a corner just before halftime representing one of the few opportunities to extend their lead.
The game remained tense until the dying moments, with Switzerland unable to fully place the result beyond doubt. It was substitute Svenja Fölmli who finally provided the insurance goal in the 91st minute. Receiving the ball with her back to goal, Fölmli skillfully turned and unleashed a precise shot to secure the 2-0 win, much to the relief of the 4,165 fans in attendance.
“I’m really happy with the contribution of my substitutes,” Navarro commented, acknowledging the impact of the players who came off the bench. He added that he was 70% satisfied with the overall performance, indicating a clear understanding that there is still work to be done.
The Swiss team will now turn their attention to their next qualifying match, a trip to Malta on Saturday. This fixture presents an opportunity to refine their attacking play and build momentum as they continue their quest to reach the 2027 World Cup. Iman Beney, a standout performer in Tuesday’s match, emphasized the importance of improving their finishing, stating, “We grasp we have details to work on. It will be important for confidence to score a lot of goals.”
The road to Brazil is still long, and Switzerland will need to demonstrate greater consistency and attacking prowess if they are to secure their place at the tournament. Navarro’s early assessment suggests a focus on correcting errors and maximizing the team’s potential in the coming matches.
The Swiss will face a challenging schedule in the coming months, including a match against Turkey on April 14th at the Letzigrund stadium. These games will be crucial in determining their position in Group B2 and their chances of qualifying for the World Cup.
For Swiss fans, the win against Northern Ireland provides a foundation to build upon, but the performance serves as a reminder that there is still work to be done to transform potential into consistent success. The team’s ability to address their attacking shortcomings and capitalize on their possession will be key to their World Cup aspirations.
Next up for the Swiss Women’s National Team is their match against Malta on Saturday. Fans can follow updates and official information through the Swiss Football Association’s official website.
