The Republic of Ireland will run out at the Stade de Geneve on Tuesday evening knowing victory over Switzerland will secure a place at the Euro 2020 finals.
However, they will also be acutely aware that anything less could leave them having to beat Denmark in Dublin next month if they are to get there and, having lost 5-1 to the Danes in a World Cup play-off clash at the Aviva Stadium in November 2017, they would prefer their quest not to go to the wire.
Here, the PA news agency takes a look at the talking points surrounding the game.
Teenage kicks
Turgid in Tbilisi
? RESULTS! ?ℹ️ Italy qualify for #EURO2020, King converts last-minute penalty against Spain! Performance of the day goes to ____________ ?
Posted by UEFA EURO 2020 on Saturday, October 12, 2019
The case for the defence
Not the win we wanted tonight which is disappointing. Proud off @AaronConnolly_9 tonight making his Ireland debut many more to come ! Thanks to the fans who made the long journey once again ??☘️ pic.twitter.com/WELHBRX5MF
— Shane Duffy (@shaneduffy) October 12, 2019
If goals have been difficult to come by for Ireland – they have managed only six in as many qualifiers to date – they have been mercifully rare at the other end with Denmark’s Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Switzerland’s Fabian Schar the only men to date to find a way past keeper Darren Randolph. Randolph, Seamus Coleman and Shane Duffy have been ever-present in a rearguard which will be strengthened by the return of Enda Stevens from suspension, and a fifth clean sheet of the campaign could prove invaluable.
Revenge mission
Swiss backlash
JATAK! Yussuf til 1-0!#ForDanmark? @fodboldbillederdk
Posted by Herrelandsholdet on Saturday, October 12, 2019
