Switzerland 2 Portugal 0: Arsenal's Granit Xhaka sent off as Swiss beat Euro 2016 champions

Dismissed: Granit Xhaka
(FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP/Getty Images)
Standard Sport7 September 2016

European champions Portugal suffered a 2-0 defeat away to Switzerland in their opening 2018 World Cup Group B qualifier.

Breel Embolo headed the Swiss in front at St Jakob-Park after 24 minutes, before Admir Mehmedi fired in a second on the half-hour.

Fernando Santos' side - missing star man Cristiano Ronaldo who has just returned to training with Real Madrid after limping out of the Euro 2016 final because of a knee injury - failed to mount a recovery as Nani saw a header come back off the post.

Santos was appointed Portugal coach in September 2014 and had not previously lost in 14 competitive games, going undefeated in seven Euro 2016 qualifiers before winning the tournament itself.

Switzerland finished the match with 10 men when in stoppage time, Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka picked up a second caution.

Switzerland boss Vladimir Petkovic said: "For me, they were two half-yellow cards, which annoys me.

"He will be missed, but we will try to compensate with a team performance against Hungary. Granit has shown a powerful performance and leadership."

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