Switzerland 4-1 Sweden Player Ratings: Dan Ndoye Helps Swiss Dominate WC Qualifier

Switzerland produced a ruthless second-half display to overpower Sweden 4–1 in their World Cup Qualification clash at the Stade de Genève. What began as a tightly contested match quickly transformed into a showcase of Swiss dominance after the break.

The opening half offered balance and excitement. Breel Embolo struck early, using his strength and sharp finishing to put the hosts in front. Sweden responded well, growing into the game and eventually equalising through Benjamin Nygren, setting up a genuinely unpredictable contest at halftime.

Everything changed once the teams returned. Switzerland emerged with renewed energy and immediately seized control. A pivotal moment came when Embolo earned a penalty, calmly dispatched by captain Granit Xhaka to restore the lead. From that point on, Switzerland were relentless.

Dan Ndoye continued his outstanding performance by adding a third, showcasing the pace and directness that troubled Sweden throughout. A late fourth goal sealed the result and underlined the gulf between the sides in the second period.

It was a commanding and deserved win for Switzerland, who turned a balanced match into a statement victory with a scintillating second-half surge. Sweden, meanwhile, were left chasing shadows after the interval and never recovered.
Here are Sportsdunia’s Switzerland vs Sweden Player Ratings:

Switzerland Player Ratings vs Sweden

Here are SportsDunia’s Switzerland Player Ratings from the Switzerland vs Sweden game:

Goalkeeper

Gregor Kobel - 6.5: We noticed he wasn't tested too often, which is a credit to his defense. He couldn't have done anything about the goal conceded. His distribution was reliable, and he commanded his area well, making a couple of key saves when called upon. A solid, if quiet, evening for the Swiss keeper.

Defenders

Silvan Widmer - 6.5: Had an energetic game up and down the right flank. He was defensively sound for the most part, though he did give away a few unnecessary fouls. He tried to support the attack, but his final delivery sometimes lacked quality. Overall, a dependable performance.

Nico Elvedi - 6.5: A steady presence at the back. He made some important clearances and was generally well-positioned. What stood out to us was his composure on the ball under pressure. He formed a strong partnership with Akanji that kept Sweden's forwards mostly quiet.

Manuel Akanji - 6.5: From our perspective, he was the ball-playing leader of the defense. His ability to launch attacks from deep with accurate long passes was impressive. He wasn't tested much defensively, but he was always alert and snuffed out danger before it developed. A very calm and collected display.

Ricardo Rodríguez - 6.0: A mixed performance before being substituted. He showed his quality with a great cross that led to a big chance but looked a bit exposed defensively on a couple of occasions. He did his job but didn't stand out as much as his teammates before making way.

Midfielders

Granit Xhaka - 8.0: A true captain's display. He absolutely dominated the middle of the park, winning the ball back an incredible 10 times. He controlled the tempo of the game and showed nerves of steel to slot home the crucial penalty. He was the engine room for his team.

Michel Aebischer - 6.5: The silent operator in midfield. He did the simple things effectively, keeping possession moving and providing a solid defensive shield. While he didn't grab the headlines, his work rate allowed the more creative players to flourish. A very disciplined game.

Rubén Vargas - 7.5: A livewire throughout his time on the pitch. He was a constant threat, and his assist for Ndoye's goal was perfectly weighted. His energy and willingness to take on defenders caused Sweden problems all night. A very creative and impactful performance.

Fabian Rieder - 6.5: He put in a real shift in his 70 minutes. He was combative, winning most of his duels, and tried to link up play between midfield and attack. He didn't have a decisive impact but his industry was important for the team's structure.

Forwards

Dan Ndoye - 9.0: Simply sensational. This was his game. His pace and dribbling were a nightmare for the Swedish defense. He capped off a brilliant performance with a fantastic goal and a clever assist. Without a doubt the highest-rated player and our man of the match.

Breel Embolo - 8.5: A powerhouse performance. He bullied the Swedish defenders, scored the opening goal with a powerful finish, and his relentless running won the game-changing penalty. A complete centre-forward display that set the tone for Switzerland's dominance.

Substitutes

Miro Muheim - N/A: Came on late with the game already won.

Djibril Sow - N/A: Not enough time to make a significant impact.

Christian Fassnacht - N/A: A brief cameo at the end.

Johan Manzambi - 7.0: The perfect substitute appearance. He came on, got a chance, and buried it. You can't ask for more than a goal off the bench.

Andi Zeqiri - N/A: Replaced the man of the match in the final moments.

Manager

M. Yakin - 8.0: He got his tactics spot on. After an even first half, his team came out and executed his game plan to perfection in the second. His substitutions were timely and effective, with Manzambi scoring the fourth. A great day at the office for the Swiss manager.

Sweden Player Ratings vs Switzerland

Check out Sweden Player Ratings from the Switzerland vs Sweden fixture:

Goalkeeper

Viktor Johansson - 4.5: A night he'll want to forget. While he made a few saves, conceding the penalty for the second goal was a catastrophic error. It completely changed the momentum of the game. Conceding four goals is never easy for a keeper, and he looked shaken.

Defenders

Gustaf Lagerbielke - 5.0: He had a tough time dealing with the physicality of Embolo and the pace of Ndoye. He made a high number of clearances, but that just shows how much pressure the defense was under. He was part of a backline that was completely overwhelmed.

Isak Hien - 5.0: A difficult game for the captain. He was caught out of position a few times and his error led to a Swiss shot. He committed several fouls out of frustration and struggled to contain the fluid Swiss attack. A performance that lacked the usual authority we see from him.

Emil Holm - 5.5: His match was unfortunately cut short by an injury just after halftime. Before that, he was having a steady, if unspectacular, game. It's hard to judge his performance fully, but his departure seemed to unbalance the Swedish defense.

Daniel Svensson - 5.0: He was run ragged by Switzerland's wingers. He struggled to cope with the pace and movement down his side of the pitch. While he battled hard, he was consistently on the back foot and offered little going forward. A very challenging evening.

Midfielders

Jesper Karlström - 5.5: He fought a losing battle in the midfield. He was completely outplayed by Xhaka and his partners. He picked up a yellow card and was often chasing shadows as Switzerland dominated possession and territory in the second half.

Yasin Ayari - 5.5: He showed some nice touches on the ball but his influence was limited. The first-half yellow card seemed to make him more cautious. He was substituted as Sweden looked for a way back into a game that was slipping away.

Anthony Elanga - 6.0: One of Sweden's brighter sparks in the first half. He tried to make things happen and created a couple of chances with his delivery. However, his impact faded significantly as the game went on, and he was eventually substituted.

Alexander Bernhardsson - 6.0: He worked tirelessly and had a decent first half, even forcing a save from the Swiss keeper. Like his teammates, he found it incredibly difficult after the break. He was fighting a losing cause against a superior opponent.

Forwards

Benjamin Nygren - 7.0: The standout performer for Sweden. He took his goal extremely well, showing great composure to level the scores. He was their most consistent threat and can hold his head high despite the team's poor result. A glimmer of hope on a dismal night.

Mattias Svanberg - 6.0: He worked hard and linked up play well at times in the first half. He created a big chance that was squandered. His influence waned dramatically in the second half before he was substituted just after the hour mark.

Substitutes

Gabriel Gudmundsson - 5.5: Brought on for the injured Holm but couldn't stop the Swiss onslaught.

Alexander Isak - 5.5: Came on when his team was already behind and chasing the game. He hardly had a touch of the ball.

Besfort Zeneli - 5.5: Tried to get involved but struggled to make any real impact on the proceedings.

Emil Forsberg - N/A: Came on too late to change the outcome.

Isac Lidberg - N/A: A late substitution with the game long over.

Manager

G. Potter - 5.0: His team started the game well and showed good character to equalize. However, they completely collapsed in the second half. His side had no answer to Switzerland's intensity and tactical adjustments. A really tough learning experience for him and his squad.

Sportsdunia’s Player of the Match goes to Dan Ndoye.