Switzerland 1-0 Georgia: Home win simplifies Republic of Ireland objective
- Published
Cedric Itten scored six minutes after coming on for his international debut, at his club's home ground in St Gallen
Cedric Itten scored on his Switzerland debut in a win over Georgia which simplifies the Republic of Ireland's Euro 2020 qualification hopes.
The Republic will qualify if they beat Denmark in Dublin on Monday (19:45 GMT) - unless Switzerland are held by Gibraltar, in which case the Irish would need to win by two goals.
The Danes moved top of Group D on 15 points with a 6-0 win over Gibraltar.
Itten headed home Denis Zakaria's cross to give Switzerland victory.
Anything other than a win in Dublin will see the Irish fail to qualify, although they would be in the play-offs next March.
If Switzerland did draw in Gibraltar - Europe's second lowest ranked team - then the Irish would need a two-goal win to finish second in a three-way head-to-head tie at the top of the group.
Denmark were comfortable winners on Friday at home against Gibraltar, who are ranked 196th in the world.
Robert Skov gave them the lead following a goalmouth scramble. They got their second moments after the restart when Christian Gytkjaer took advantage of a goalkeeping mistake to slide home.
Martin Braithwaite added a third from six yards out before Skov got his second. and Christian Eriksen scored twice in the final five minutes to seal the rout.
Switzerland were given plenty of scares against already eliminated Georgia, with Giorgi Kvilitaia's improvisational shot on the ground hitting the post.
St Gallen's Itten was their hero with a fine header six minutes after coming off the bench for his international debut.