Switzerland 2 - Albania 1; Slovenia 3 - Norway 0; Iceland 2 - Cyprus 0

If Switzerland could pull off a road victory against Albania in Tirana, their qualification would be secured.  The Swiss looked lively early.  Valentin Stocker headed a cross off the near post, but Albania captain Lorik Cana (pictured, red) was there to clear the ball to safety.  That was the best chance of a scoreless opening half.

Right at the start of the second period, Switzerland goalkeeper Diego Benaglio was forced into a diving save to stop a powerful drive from Valoet Rama.  Moments later, Granit Xhaka was taking a shot on the other end.  Xherdan Shaqiri got in the way of the shot, but he was able to turn it into a clean reception before wrong-footing the goalkeeper with his shot.  The ball went in off the post and Switzerland had the opener.  Ansi Agolli hit a floating cross that may have been goalbound, so a leaping Benaglio tipped the ball over his crossbar for safety.  A free kick cross from Switzerland captain Gokhan Inler fell just beyond the back post.  In the ensuing scramble, Michael Lang managed to manufacture a shot on goal that bounced in to make it 2-0.  A late mistake by Benaglio gifted Albania a penalty kick.  Benaglio dropped a simple roller at the top of his box, and then compounded his mistake by committing a foul as he tried to reclaim the ball.  Albania converted for 2-1.  However, the visitors hold on and win 2-1.  Switzerland qualify for Brasil 2014 as Group E champions.  Albania are eliminated by the result.

Both Slovenia and visiting Norway needed victories in Maribor to maintain hope of qualifying for Brasil 2014.  Miso Brecko provided an early chance for Slovenia.  His fast cross forced Milivoje Novakovic into a sliding half-volley shot attempt, which he somehow converted for a beautiful finish to give the home side a 1-0 advantage.  Two minutes later, Slovenia were back on the scoreboard.  Kevin Kampl ran at the center of the defense before pushing wide to Andraz Kirm.  Kirm quickly passed across to Novakovic for the tap-in and 2-0.  Slovenia led 2-0 at halftime.

Ales Mertelj stole a ball from the Norwegian midfield and pushed a through ball ahead for Novakovic.  Novakovic received it onside and proceeded down the field without any defenders chasing him.  He finished his hat trick off the post to put his team ahead by three goals.  Slovenia win 3-0 to maintain hope in the chase for the playoffs.  Norway are eliminated from the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

Iceland were at home in Reykjavik looking to avenge their loss to Cyprus earlier in the campaign.  Birkir Bjarnason nearly provided the opener for the hosts, but his header at the back post sailed just high.  Cyprus played very defensively and frustrated Iceland throughout the match.  The half ended as it began, 0-0.

At the hour mark, Iceland finally battered down the door to the Cypriot goal.  That was the most apt description of what happened.  Johann Gudmundsson hit a low shot on frame that was stopped by a diving Cyprus goalkeeper Antonis Giorgallidis, but the rebound was pushed into the goal by Kolbeinn Sigthorsson, who outraced six defenders for the tap-in opening goal.  A short free kick cross gave Bjarnason a point-blank header, but Giorgallidis found himself in the way of the shot for the save.  Another battering ram goal was scored after Giorgallidis made a double save off a Bjarnason kick that left the ball bouncing on the doorstep of the goal.  Gylfi Sigurdsson had the final touch as the ball entered the goal to double the Icelandic lead.  Cyprus never provided much of an attacking threat, so the rest of the match was a formality.  Iceland win 2-0 and are in pole position to clinch second place in Group E on Tuesday.

After some difficult math, the Iceland result eliminates Czech Republic from Group B due to the impossibility of Czech Republic finishing as one of the top eight second-place teams.  Their maximum point haul in the second-place table is nine, which is what Slovenia currently have.  However, Slovenia now need points to overtake Iceland to get into second place in Group E.  The other seven group second-place teams already have ten or more points in the second-place table.  Iceland just moved to thirteen with a win today.  If Slovenia do not score more points, Iceland finish second with more points than Czech Republic.  If Slovenia do take second, they will necessarily have more than the nine points Czech Republic could achieve.

Switzerland 21 pts IN
Iceland 16 pts +2
Slovenia 15 pts +4
Norway OUT
Albania OUT
Cyprus OUT

Goals
Switzerland
Xherdan Shaqiri 47
Michael Lang 77

Albania
Hamdi Salihi 88 PK

Slovenia
Milivoje Novakovic 13, 15, 49

Iceland
Kolbeinn Sigthorsson 60
Gylfi Sigurdsson 76

Match Reports:
http://www.uefa.com/worldcup/season=2014/matches/round=2000294/match=2008638/postmatch/report/
http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/10/11/3684011/switzerland-advances-to-wcup-beats.html
http://www1.skysports.com/football/live/match/253663
http://www1.skysports.com/football/live/match/253664

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yx-Imb2p-54 (Switzerland v. Albania)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TNk6WVIJb5o (Slovenia v. Norway)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UWmS1OM34ls (Iceland v. Cyprus)