Switzerland 2-0 Portugal: Euro 2016 champions crash back to earth in World Cup qualifying opener

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PIECE OF SWISS 

Euro 2016 champions Portugal suffer 2-0 defeat in Switzerland as Granit Xhaka sees red

Goals from Breel Embolo and Admir Mehmedi meant the hosts kick-start their World Cup qualifying campaign with three points

PORTUGAL suffered a Euro 2016 hangover with a disappointing 2-0 defeat against ten-man Switzerland.

The European champions struggled to break down a resolute Swiss defence as the home side kick-started their World Cup qualifying campaign with three impressive points but saw Arsenal’s Granit Xhaka see red for two yellow cards in the dying stages.

KEYSTONE

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Breel Embolo celebrates with his team-mates after scoring the opening goal

LUSA

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Fernando Santos had no answers to Switzerland’s resolute defending

Without Cristiano Ronaldo and Renato Sanchez, Portugal started the brighter of the two sides but found themselves behind after 23 minutes through powerful forward Breel Embolo.

Ricardo Rodriguez’s free-kick from just outside the area was poorly parried by Rui Patricio right into the path of Embolo who simply headed the ball into the net.

And just seven minutes later, Portugal had a mountain to climb when Admir Mehmedi’s wonderful finish gave his side a 2-0 lead to send St Jakob-Park rocking.