Summary

  • Rodriguez penalty after Corry Evans penalised for handball

  • Second leg in Basel on Sunday

  • Result: Croatia 4-1 Greece

  1. Postpublished at 20:33 Greenwich Mean Time 9 November 2017

    Northern Ireland 0-0 Switzerland

    Keith Gillespie
    Former Northern Ireland winger on BBC Radio 5 live

    Switzerland are looking very comfortable in possession - they just wait their chance. They have 25 or 30 passes and then look for the killer ball. We're letting them play in front of us. Hopefully we can break on them.

    We started brightly but they grew into the game.

  2. HALF-TIMEpublished at 45+1 mins

    Northern Ireland 0-0 Switzerland

    Switzerland have had 70% possession and all the threat but Northern Ireland have held firm. Just.

    You feel that the home side need something to take to Switzerland for the second leg. They'll need to find something else second half to get it.

    Northern Ireland manager Michael O'NeillImage source, Reuters
  3. Postpublished at 45 mins

    Northern Ireland 0-0 Switzerland

    Northern Ireland get lucky.

    Stephan Lichtsteiner is in, in the box following as flick header but he loses his footing and stumbles. Replays show he was offside but the slip saved the linesman making the call.

  4. Postpublished at 20:30 Greenwich Mean Time 9 November 2017

    Northern Ireland 0-0 Switzerland

    John Southall
    BBC Radio 5 live football reporter at Windsor Park

    You have to say the Swiss are looking really threatening going forward. Northern Ireland just to need to hang in here.

    The noise inside Windsor Park has been relentless, it’s a phenomenal atmosphere.

  5. Postpublished at 44 mins

    Northern Ireland 0-0 Switzerland

    Northern Ireland can't keep hold of the ball. Corry Evans wins the ball but then loses it almost instantly. Switzerland are bossing this game in terms of territory and possession.

  6. Postpublished at 43 mins

    Northern Ireland 0-0 Switzerland

    Jonny Evans has been great this half. He stands tall and anticipates superbly where Stephan Lichtsteiner's pull-back cross is going to go. A chest and a boot later and the ball is away from danger.

    Northern Ireland's Jonny EvansImage source, PA
  7. Postpublished at 41 mins

    Northern Ireland 0-0 Switzerland

    Good news. Stuart Dallas is back on. He is not moving well but he is made a stern stuff, the Leeds man.

  8. Postpublished at 20:26 Greenwich Mean Time 9 November 2017

    Northern Ireland 0-0 Switzerland

    Keith Gillespie
    Former Northern Ireland winger on BBC Radio 5 live

    That'll be a worry as Stuart Dallas has started the game well. He has a good relationship with Chris Brunt down that side. Hopefully he'll be OK to continue.

  9. Postpublished at 40 mins

    Northern Ireland 0-0 Switzerland

    Bad news. Stuart Dallas is down and struggling. He has taken a few heavy knocks in this first half and may not be able to continue.

    Fabian Schar's nasty, lunging tackle early in the game was brutal. A more recent one was better timed but still heavy.

  10. Postpublished at 38 mins

    Northern Ireland 0-0 Switzerland

    Steven Davis tries to pick out Josh Magennis with a cross to the far post but Yann Sommer is out to claim.

    Northern Ireland's Josh MagennisImage source, Reuters
  11. Postpublished at 37 mins

    Northern Ireland 0-0 Switzerland

    Stuart Dallas has been as good as anyone so far for Northern Ireland. His superb run almost sees him break in down the left but a solid tackle from Fabian Schar halts him.

  12. goal

    GOAL - Croatia 3-1 Greecepublished at 33 mins

    Ivan Perisic

    Correction, Greece WERE back in it!

    Croatia, made mad by the away side nicking a goal, pretty much immediately go down the other end and restore their two-goal advantage.

    A wicked cross from full-back Sime Vrsaljko swings over everyone but the onrushing Ivan Perisic, who heads home.

    Croatia make it 3-1Image source, Reuters
  13. goal

    GOAL - Croatia 2-1 Greecepublished at 30 mins

    Sokratis

    Can't take your eyes off this one!

    Greece are back in it courtesy of a superb header from a corner from skipper Sokratis. A Croatian man on the line jumps and gets a head to it but he can't keep it out.

    For the record, the corner came from a mistake from one Dejan Lovren.

    Greece make it 2-1Image source, Reuters
  14. Postpublished at 30 mins

    Northern Ireland 0-0 Switzerland

    This time Jonny Evans comes to the rescue. Ricardo Rodríguez's delivery is good, right into the heart of the box, but Evans rises to head away.

    Switzerland's RodriguezImage source, Reuters
  15. Postpublished at 29 mins

    Northern Ireland 0-0 Switzerland

    Free-kick to Switzerland wide left. They are so sharp on the counter. Seconds after a Northern Ireland cross is cleared they are in home territory and threatening.

  16. Smile Zlatkopublished at 20:13 Greenwich Mean Time 9 November 2017

    Croatia 2-0 Greece

    Zlatko DalicImage source, Getty Images

    Zlatko Dalic must have the golden touch.

    The Croatia boss only got the job two days before his country's last World Cup qualifier. Just 48 hours after his appointment he led Croatia to a crucial 2-0 win in Ukraine, beating Ukraine to second in the group by three points.

    Just 25 minutes into his second game his side are cruising here. with two goals, 60% possession and Greece have not yet had a shot.

    Tickets sorted for Russia lads?

  17. Postpublished at 28 mins

    Northern Ireland 0-0 Switzerland

    PossessionImage source, Opta

    Fair to say that Switzerland are on top. They lead the pass count 162 to 53.

  18. Postpublished at 27 mins

    Northern Ireland 0-0 Switzerland

    Chris Brunt meets the corner with a decent header, which clears the danger. For now.

  19. Postpublished at 25 mins

    Northern Ireland 0-0 Switzerland

    Switzerland win a corner. They are looking increasingly dangerous.

  20. Postpublished at 24 mins

    Northern Ireland 0-0 Switzerland

    All Switzerland at the moment. A cross is hung up into the box but Steven Zuber can't get enough power on his header, which loops out for a goal-kick.

    The Swiss want a corner and overstep the line with their protests when one does not come. Granit Xhaka gets a talking to.

    Switzerland's Granit XhakaImage source, Reuters