Switzerland 1 - Cyprus 0

Rainy Geneva was the scene as group leaders Switzerland hosting last-place Cyprus.  The Swiss almost had a lead after a slight touch past the goalkeeper saw a balling rolling toward the goal, but a sprint and sliding kick to safety by Angelis Charalampous (pictured, blue) prevented the goal.  This was the best opportunity of the first period, and the half ended scoreless.

Cyprus continued to offer nothing more than a defensive shell as their attack was not a factor in the match.  Switzerland simply had to find a way to break down a team looking for a scoreless draw.  A dozen minutes after the resumption of play, Valentin Stocker made a smart pass when he could have taken a shot, nearly leading to a Swiss opener.  However, Cyprus goalkeeper Antonis Giorgallidis made a reaction save to deny Mario Gavranovic what he surely must have thought was a goal.  In the final minute of regulation, a sprinting Xherdan Shaqiri (pictured, red) hit a perfectly-weighted through ball that was chipped over Giorgallidis and into the goal by Haris Seferovic, giving Switzerland a late lead.  This was Seferovic's first international goal.  Switzerland would clinch the 1-0 victory shortly thereafter and stretch their lead in Group E.

Switzerland 14 pts +7
Albania 10 pts +1
Iceland 9 pts -1
Norway 8 pts 0
Slovenia 6 pts -2
Cyprus 4 pts -5

Goals
Switzerland
Haris Seferovic 90

Match Reports:
http://bostonherald.com/sports/revolution_soccer/soccer/2013/06/switzerland_beats_cyprus_1_0_in_wcup_qualifier
http://sports.yahoo.com/news/soccer-swiss-snatch-last-gasp-win-over-defiant-173936130.html

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oQioxFLXUyw