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David McGoldrick\u2019s first international goal was enough to earn the Republic of Ireland a crucial point as they came from behind to draw 1-1 with Switzerland in their Euro 2020 qualifier at the Aviva Stadium on Thursday night.
\n5th Sep 2019<\/p>\n
Fabian Schar\u2019s neat finish in the 74th minute looked to have Switzerland on course for victory but McGoldrick\u2019s late header was enough to ensure Ireland remain unbeaten but more importantly they sit top, three points ahead of Denmark and six points clear of Switzerland albeit they have played more games than both.<\/p>\n
The first meaningful goal scoring opportunity of the match was created by Ireland in the 13th minute as Jeff Hendrick\u2019s quick feet allowed him to release James McClean inside the penalty area.<\/p>\n
But after initially slipping as he looked the cut the ball onto his right foot, the Derry man recovered and sent his weak shot straight at goalkeeper Yann Sommer.<\/p>\n
Switzerland looked the more dangerous of the two sides as the half wore on but they couldn\u2019t turn it into a crucial opening goal as Ricardo Rodriquez, Granit Xhaka and Denis Zakaria all failed to find the net with their efforts.<\/p>\n
Ireland rallied before the break and they spurned decent openings themselves late in the first period with David McGoldrick scuffing Hendrick\u2019s clever pass at the keeper before flashing a dangerous pass across the face of goal when he could have gone for goal directly.<\/p>\n
The Swiss regained control after the interval and they threatened to take the lead through Fabian Schar and Haris Seferovic \u2013 who both fired wide of the target – before Breel Embolo slipped at the crucial moment when he looked to be through on goal.<\/p>\n
The Boys in Green\u2019s resolve was finally broken with 16 minutes remaining as Switzerland took the lead when Fabian Schar slotted the ball into the bottom right corner of the net following some incisive one-touch football.<\/p>\n
Glenn Whelan rattled the bar as the game drew to a close but Ireland snatched what could prove to be a vital point when David McGoldrick headed James McClean\u2019s deflected cross into the top right corner.<\/p>\n