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World Cup Qualification: Switzerland vs Slovenia
Kickoff Time: 2025-09-09 02:45 (HKT)
Source: REUTERS/Denis Balibouse
This is the second round of Group B in the 2026 FIFA World Cup European Qualifiers. In the first round, Switzerland, playing at home, defeated Kosovo 4-0. Stade Rennais striker Breel Embolo scored a brace, becoming the key player in the team’s victory. From the match progression, Switzerland took a four-goal lead in the first half. In the second half, they switched to a possession-based strategy, conserving energy while firmly maintaining their advantage. Throughout the game, Switzerland had 63% possession, with 10 shot attempts, five on target, resulting in four goals – an extremely efficient offensive performance. Even more surprisingly, all four goals were scored through crosses. Clearly, Switzerland’s wing attacks have become a sharp tool for breaking down opponents’ defenses. Starting the World Cup qualifiers with such an impressive victory greatly boosts the players’ morale.
In the first round of the group stage, Slovenia pulled off a surprise 2-2 draw against Sweden with a last-minute equalizer in stoppage time. During the match, Slovenia relied on efficient counterattacks and resilient defense, repeatedly creating threats with the support of their home fans. Unfortunately, newly signed Manchester United striker Benjamin Sesko performed poorly. Throughout the game, he managed only one shot (off target), was dispossessed twice, committed two fouls, recorded no defensive contributions, and completed only 15 out of 19 passes. Clearly, under the opponent’s tight marking, Sesko, the team’s highest-valued player, was completely out of sorts. Statistics show that Sesko’s last open-play goal for the national team dates back to September 2024, against the weaker team Kazakhstan. Evidently, Sesko is not the type of striker who can score through individual efforts. In the national team, without strong support from his teammates, he often struggles to find his scoring touch against stronger opponents.
Considering that this year marks the 130th anniversary of the Swiss Football Association, the Swiss team playing at home has extra motivation. With Sweden dropping points in their first match, Switzerland will undoubtedly aim to build on their momentum and secure all three points against the weaker Slovenia, putting pressure on Sweden and striving for a psychological advantage in their upcoming clash.
Switzerland‘s Last 5 Games: WWWWD
25-09-06 Switzerland 4-0 Kosovo
25-06-11 USA 0-4 Switzerland
25-06-08 Mexico 2-4 Switzerland
25-03-26 Switzerland 3-1 Luxembourg
25-03-22 Northern Ireland 1-1 Switzerland
Slovenia’s Last 5 Games: DWWDD
25-09-06 Slovenia 2-2 Switzerland
25-06-11 Slovenia 2-1 Bosnia and Herzegovina
25-06-07 Luxembourg 0-1 Slovenia
25-03-24 Slovenia 0-0 Slovakia (ET 1-0)
25-03-21 Slovakia 0-0 Slovenia
Head-To-Head Record
15-09-06 Switzerland 3-2 Slovenia
14-10-10 Slovenia 1-0 Switzerland
13-10-16 Switzerland 1-0 Slovenia
12-09-08 Slovenia 0-2 Switzerland
04-04-29 Switzerland 2-1 Slovenia
Prediction: Switzerland to win