Late Israel Equalizer Puts Switzerland's Euro 2024 Qualification Party On Hold

Israel scored a late equalizer to stop Switzerland from rubber-stamping their Euro 2024 qualification on Wednesday. The 1-1 draw took place in Hungary.

Israel scored a late equalizer to stop Switzerland from rubber-stamping their Euro 2024 qualification on Wednesday.

Switzerland dominated the game and took a deserved lead in the 36th minute when Ruben Vargas headed home from a deep Edimilson Fernandes cross.

The away side would have won by a big margin had it not been for a fine display by Israel keeper Omri Glazer, who made seven saves.

Glazer's heroics kept Israel in the contest before Granada forward Shon Weissman struck in the 88th minute to earn a 1-1 draw.

Fernandes was then sent off in added time for a bad challenge on Dor Turgeman.

Israel were the designated home team but Wednesday's game took place in Hungary.

This was due to a UEFA ruling made last month that ordered Israel and Palestine to play all home matches at neutral venues for security reasons until further notice.

Israel's players pictured singing their national anthem before drawing 1-1 with Switzerland in a Euro 2024 qualifier on Wednesday :: Twitter/X/@Meg_Swanick

A win on Wednesday would have seen Switzerland qualify for a sixth consecutive major tournament.

Murat Yakin's side should still make it to Euro 2024 despite this setback.

After Wednesday's result, Switzerland and Romania both have four points more than Israel in Group I with two rounds of fixtures remaining.

Israel still have a lot to do in order to finish first or second and qualify automatically for next year's tournament.

But failing to secure a top-two finish would not end Israel's hopes of reaching Euro 2024.

After winning Group B2 in the most recent edition of the UEFA Nations League, Israel could yet qualify for next year's Euros by winning a four-team playoff.

As things stand, Israel's potential opponents in such a playoff would likely be Finland, Iceland and Bosnia & Herzegovina.

Israel gained UEFA membership status in 1994. Its men's national team have never qualified for a Euros tournament.