Mark Sterling
BBC Sport NI

Switzerland have some cheek trying to claim another penalty against Northern Ireland for a shot that clearly wasn't charged down with an arm.

Remember Corry Evans at Windsor Park? Yes, so does pretty much every single Northern Ireland supporter.

Another penalty there in similar circumstances would have been hard for them to take.

Northern Ireland are under the cosh a bit here, though. They could do with getting a hold of the ball and getting up the pitch. All a bit deep at the minute.

The Swiss break down the left and it falls to Shaqiri 12 yards out.

The Lyon man leathers it towards goal but it comes off Ciaron Brown, who does really well to throw himself in front of the shot.

The Swiss appeal for a handball, but the defender's arms were down by his side and there's no case to answer.

Jamal Lewis is the first man to be booked for tugging back Embolo as the Swiss forward looked to break away.

That's him out of Tuesday's game in Bulgaria. More reshuffling ahead for Ian Baraclough.

The ever-popular Ricardo Rodriguez snatches at an effort on the edge of the area on his weaker right foot.

The left-back nipped in ahead of NI skipper Paddy McNair but he rushed his effort and it's high, wide and not so handsome.

Mark Sterling
BBC Sport NI

Nothing like a quiet opening 10 minutes to ease us into a massive match is there?

Drama is rarely far when Northern Ireland are playing, and this has been frantic in the extreme at the start.

TV replays show that offside decision for the Swiss goal was correct, then within a minute of the decision - which seem to take ages - Conor Washington goes through at the other end but fires straight at the keeper.

The tone has been set.

John O'Neill had talked pre-match about Northern Ireland needing a bit of luck tonight and they may have got it with that offside call.

It was marginal for Kevin Mbabu down the right wing, and then you can question whether Shaqiri was in Peacock-Farrell's line of sight as Zakaria's powerful effort came in.

Either way, Northern Ireland will take it.

Lyon winger Shaqiri now races into the area but his low effort is comfortably saved by Bailey Peacock-Farrell at the near post.

He was never going to be beaten from there, but it's concerning how many times the hosts are getting in behind NI.

Ian Baraclough needs to try and settle his team down a bit.

Renato Steffen is the next to break into the area.

The Swiss forward turns to shoot but Jamal Lewis has come across from the left-back position and gets a crucial block on the effort.

There's no way this is ending goalless!

Ohh, now Conor Washington goes close!

He races in behind the home defence with a trademark run. He's got the beating of the defender, takes a touch onto his left foot and he fires it towards goal from the edge of the defender.

Washington has hit it well but it's a comfortable save for Yann Sommer in the end.

This has been lively, to say the least.

Phew! That's a huge let off!

Mbabu is adjudged to have been offside in the build-up and it's chalked off.

The right back owes Zakaria a drink after that one - he's been robbed of the strike of his career!

Video Assistant Refereepublished at 19:51 British Summer Time 9 October 2021

19:51 BST 9 October 2021

Switzerland 1-0 Northern Ireland

Ohh, hang on...

The officials are having a look at a possible offside here.

It's been like two boxers sussing each other out in the early stages here, with plenty of cautious passes in the middle of the park.

Who do we fancy to land the knockout blow?

Conor Washington gets us rolling in Geneva.

Is it time for another big, big night for Northern Ireland?

That's the pre-match pleasantries over with.

Northern Ireland are in their alternate white strip, which the flashes of navy and mint.

Switzerland are in their traditional red strip on their home turf.

Jim Magilton
Former Northern Ireland midfielder on BBC Radio Ulster

Xherdan Shaqiri leads out the hosts in Geneva, swiftly followed by Paddy McNair and Northern Ireland.

What a proud moment for the Ballyclare man.

It's time for the anthems.

Mark Sterling
BBC Sport NI

A polished media performer or a bit over-optimistic?

Ian Baraclough's positivity knows no bounds. The Northern Ireland manager has had to deal with a host of injuries to key players, but still he was in upbeat mood when appearing in front of the media on Friday.

He said he sees having to deal with missing players as a challenge, and that as a manager he is always having to be prepared for all eventualities.

He also refused to give the press pack the 'win or bust' headline they were no doubt looking for. He did acknowledge the magnitude of the game, but said that - no matter the result tonight - he would not give up on qualification until it was numerically impossible.