How Switzerland aim to roll back the clock after topping Group B 🕰️ | OneFootball

Nestled between a trio of European powerhouses, Switzerland once again have quietly crafted a platform for potential success this summer across the Atlantic.

Murat Yakin's Nati arrived as one of the tournament dark horses amid expectations of outstripping co-host Canada to top Group B, and made good on their initial summer aims after a 2-1 win in Vancouver over Jesse Marsch's outfit.

But the little nation that could didn't just qualify for the Round of 32. They have done so in a manner that only one other nation has achieved in recent years.

Switzerland have become just the second European side to qualify for the knockout stages in each of the last four World Cup editions, matching neighbor and tournament favourite France along the way.

This achievement may come as a surprise to many, especially with key names replaced and the deck reshuffled.

But for a nation that was at the forefront of the beautiful game as it grew in scope and prominence in the post-Second World War years, will this be a new era of influence not seen since the Abegglen brothers, Jacques Fatton, and Josef Hügi?

Granit Xhaka, Breel Embolo, and others will certainly hope so.

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