A Tough Start for Potter as Sweden Stumble in Geneva
Graham Potter's much-anticipated debut as Sweden manager ended in disappointment as his new side fell to a 3-1 defeat against a dominant Switzerland in a crucial World Cup qualifier. The result means Sweden's path to the next World Cup will now be the most difficult possible, navigating the unseeded playoff route.
Swiss Dominance Seals the Victory
The match in Geneva was a story of Swiss efficiency against Swedish frailty. The home side took an early lead when Breel Embolo finished smartly after being set up by the dangerous Dan Ndoye. Sweden showed brief resilience, equalising through Benjamin Nygren after a cross from Anthony Elanga. This was Switzerland's first conceded goal in the entire qualifying campaign.
However, the recovery was short-lived. A disastrous defensive error in the second half, involving substitute Gabriel Gudmundsson and goalkeeper Viktor Johansson, led to a soft penalty award. Granit Xhaka calmly converted from the spot to restore Switzerland's lead. Ndoye, a constant threat, then deservedly got a goal of his own before Johan Manzambi added a late third to seal the win for Murat Yakin's well-drilled side.
Potter's Uphill Task Becomes Clear
Potter, who was seen passionately singing the Swedish national anthem before kick-off, faced this crucial match with a significantly weakened squad. Key attacking talents like Viktor Gyökeres, Dejan Kulusevski, and Lucas Bergvall were absent, while star striker Alexander Isak was only fit enough for the bench. Isak's late introduction had little impact against a Swiss team adept at closing out games.
The defeat confirms that Switzerland will almost certainly qualify automatically for the World Cup from Group B, barring an improbable six-goal loss in Kosovo. For Potter and Sweden, the focus now shifts to a perilous playoff journey. The performance highlighted the defensive vulnerabilities and lack of cutting edge that the new manager has been hired to fix, setting out the scale of the challenge ahead for the English coach in his new international role.
