Northern Ireland go down fighting in World Cup bid

In one of the best away performances by a Northern Ireland team in decades, Michael O'Neill's side just fell short after a gallant scoreless draw with Switzerland in the second leg of their World Cup qualifying play-off.

Switzerland are unbeaten at home since 2008, but Northern Ireland came close to ending that record with a gritty performance.

Manager O’Neill asked his players to use that controversial and heartbreaking penalty decision in the first leg as a motivating factor and his players answered that call in abundance.

They could not have done any more. They made it a nervous night for their hosts and came so close to forcing extra-time with Jonny Evans having a goal-bound effort clear off the line.

Switzerland, unchanged from their 1-0 win in Belfast, tried to seize the early initiative but it was Northern Ireland who almost grabbed a dramatic lead on three minutes.

Chris Brunt let fly from 25 yards out but keeper Sommer reached up to push the ball over the bar. From the resultant corner Stuart Dallas then lashed an effort over the target.

The home side did not take long to hit back with a chance of their own, a lovely ball in by Shaqiri was met by Seferovic who should have scored but his glancing header drifted a foot wide of the post.

On ten minutes luck favoured Northern Ireland as Gareth McAuley’s boot deflected a cross from Dzemaili over the bar.

Sommer showed good hands to take the sting out of another well hit snapshot by Brunt in what proved to be an all action opening quarter to the game.

A delightful ball from Zuber was superbly controlled by Seferovic but his parting shot hit the side netting on 22 minutes. Shaqiri then forced Michael McGovern into making a smart save in the next attack after he cut inside and drove a low shot towards the left post.McGovern again denied the Swiss with another brilliant save with his feet when Zuber looked certain to break the deadlock.

The Swiss continued to press with failed to make the most of anything created and it was Northern Ireland who ended the half with a chance but Brunt skied his free kick well over the bar.

The second half began with another good attack by the home side, but again they failed to add the finish as Zuber took too long before getting away his shot allowing Aaron Hughes time to make the block.

A sublime pass from George Saville caught the home defence napping as Jamie Ward collected and quickly crossed into the middle where Conor Washington rose to glance a header just wide.

That all important goal for Northern Ireland almost came on 62 minutes after a great turn by Washington created space, he ran on and picked on Saville but his shot was too weak to trouble the keeper.

Northern Ireland were gaining the upper hand going into the last 20 minutes as O’Neill brought on Jordan Jones and Josh Magennis.

It was all or nothing now in a bid to find a goal to force extra-time.A third and final change saw Paddy McNair on with McAuley pushed up front.

Seferovic had a chance to ease the home nerves on 83 minutes but like all the other efforts he had it was well off target.

With Northern Ireland pressing forward the breaks fell to the home side, Delaney missed a gaping goal and then Embolo was denied by McGovern.

Then drama at the other end in the first minute of added time, Jonny Evans ghosted in at the back post only to see his header cleared off the line by Rodriguez.

That was the final chance, it was all over with Northern Ireland and the fans left to reflect on a great World Cup campaign.

Despite his disappointment at the outcome, manager Michael O'Neill was enormously proud with the effort of his players.

Captain Steven Davis praised the character of his teammates. He acknowledged that the penalty decision in the first leg was a blow, but insisted it had not hampered their performance in Basel.