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In a closely contested friendly match at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin, Switzerland emerged victorious with a narrow 1-0 win over the Republic of Ireland. The only goal of the game came in the 23rd minute when Xherdan Shaqiri beautifully curled a free-kick into the bottom corner of the net.
Despite a lively start by the Republic of Ireland, the 35,742-strong crowd was silenced by Shaqiri’s precise strike. The Irish team, under interim manager John O’Shea, pushed for an equalizer but fell short against a determined Swiss side.
The Republic of Ireland had their chances, with John O’Shea’s header and Evan Ferguson’s attempt from a corner, but they were unable to find the back of the net. Switzerland came close to extending their lead when Granit Xhaka’s long-range effort hit the post after a mistake by Irish goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu.
The second half saw fewer opportunities as substitutions disrupted the flow of the game. Despite efforts from both sides, including a speculative overhead kick by Irish substitute Adam Idah, the scoreline remained unchanged.
With this victory, Switzerland continues its preparations for the upcoming Euro 2024 tournament. They are set to face hosts Germany, Scotland, and Hungary in Group A of the competition.
The match also marks the end of John O’Shea’s tenure as interim manager, with the Football Association of Ireland expected to announce a permanent successor to Stephen Kenny in April.
