Switzerland 2 Portugal 0: Swiss stun Euro 2016 champions despite Granit Xhaka’s red card
Goals from Breel Embolo and Admir Mehmedi meant the hosts kick-start their World Cup qualifying campaign with three points
PORTUGAL suffered a Euro 2016 hangover with a disappointing 2-0 defeat against ten-man Switzerland.
The European champions struggled to break down a resolute Swiss defence as the home side kick-started their World Cup qualifying campaign with three impressive points but saw Arsenal's Granit Xhaka see red for two yellow cards in the dying stages.
Without Cristiano Ronaldo and Renato Sanchez, Portugal started the brighter of the two sides but found themselves behind after 23 minutes through powerful forward Breel Embolo.
Ricardo Rodriguez's free-kick from just outside the area was poorly parried by Rui Patricio right into the path of Embolo who simply headed the ball into the net.
And just seven minutes later, Portugal had a mountain to climb when Admir Mehmedi's wonderful finish gave his side a 2-0 lead to send St Jakob-Park rocking.