Ireland and Switzerland met in two recent friendlies; Switzerland winning the first 3-0 and the second game finishing in a 1-1 draw.
Pre-match formalities done and dusted, here we go…
18 Nov 2025
2:46PM
KICK-OFF: Ireland get us underway, launching it long for a Swiss throw-in.
18 Nov 2025
2:48PM
2 mins - Switzerland with the first shot in anger, but it’s well over Alex Noonan’s goal.
Ireland playing the ball around now, looking to settle. They’ve started with a back three, as expected.
18 Nov 2025
2:51PM
5 mins – Jaden Umeh dances down the right but is smothered by a Swiss defender on the endline. Grady McDonnell was in a good position centrally, but the ball got away from Umeh and the chance went abegging.
At the other end, there are half-hearted calls for a Swiss penalty but the referee immediately waves play on. Would need to see that one back.
18 Nov 2025
2:55PM
8 mins - Scrappy and tentative the last few minutes, with glimpses of promising Irish play: Umeh and Noonan linking up well. They threaten down the right, but the referee gets in the way as Finneran tears through the middle.
18 Nov 2025
2:58PM
12 mins – Ireland apply pressure with back to back corners: the first, won by Solanke, is delivered by Finneran, kept alive by Martos, and McDonnell’s delivery ricochets out for another. The second is cleared by a big defensive header, Switzerland look to counter but Ireland scramble to cut out the threat.
18 Nov 2025
3:02PM
15 mins – Noonan comfortably claims Koloto’s overhead kick from the edge of the box, after a second long throw into the box. Leonard cleared the first.
Switzerland enjoying a long spell of pressure now, Ireland happy to sit off.
18 Nov 2025
3:04PM
17 mins - Koloto with another shot, this one is more straightforward… but tame, and Noonan is equal to it. He’s getting more and more involved in the last few minutes, as Switzerland look to take control.
18 Nov 2025
3:08PM
20 mins - Ireland lift the pressure momentarily: Michael Noonan can’t find Umeh with a deep cross. The Shamrock Rovers youngster threatens on the run with Ireland’s next attack, but he’s cut out.
Bruchez picks up the first yellow card of the game for a jersey pull.
18 Nov 2025
3:12PM
26 mins - Two decent efforts from Ireland: Martos with the first, a first-time strike from 25 yards which is deflected out for a corner.
The second came a little after the set-piece, McDonnell dragging just across the face of goal and wide – also from range. The Swiss ‘keeper may have had that one covered.
18 Nov 2025
3:14PM
The full-time whistle and reaction is heard from another pitch at the complex: Portugal have beaten Mexico 5-0, they face the winner here in the quarter-finals.
18 Nov 2025
3:19PM
32 mins - Switzerland with a reminder of the threat they pose in the last few minutes. They’ve grown into the game more and more. Let off for Ireland as they’re caught on the break and the wrong option is taken, they recover to block Correia’s shot.
Ozhianvuna has been busy. Sherlock with a big block on Koloto just there.
18 Nov 2025
3:21PM
35 mins – Another long throw from the right follows that, Ireland are passive and let the Swiss get another shot away but it’s comfortably claimed.
They persist with playing out from the back, undone on this occasion, but luckily not fatally.
18 Nov 2025
3:24PM
36 mins - Good Irish play there as they knock the ball around, prod and probe. Noonan is leading the charge up top alongside Umeh, ready to pounce.
Nice turn from Arsenal-bound Shamrock Rovers youngster Ozhianvuna amidst it all.
18 Nov 2025
3:25PM
38 mins – There’s a chance! Noonan’s first touch to control Sherlock’s long delivery sets him up, but the Rovers youngster lifts over the bar. Better from Ireland, can they nick a goal before half time?
42 mins – Solanke’s long deliveries are causing problems, Umeh looking to latch onto the latest of those but the Swiss goalkeeper deals accordingly.
Finneran steps up with a big block at the other end, Umeh wins a free-kick as they break.
18 Nov 2025
3:31PM
44 mins – Switzerland looking to finish the half strong, as they up the ante. But so too are Ireland: Noonan and Umeh trying to combine just before the whistle.
The Swiss player – I didn’t quite catch who it was – was booked for that earlier challenge on Umeh.
So that’s that for the first half in Doha. It’s finely-poised, all to play for in the second.
Switzerland have shaded it as the better team, but Ireland have pretty done well. Both sides have had chances, with Noonan, Martos and McDonnell threatening for the Young Boys In Green. All it takes is one moment.
Like against Canada last week, if it’s 0-0 after 90 minutes, this goes straight to a penalty shootout. A quarter-final is the big prize on offer.
18 Nov 2025
3:38PM
“They probably had more sustained attacks, we had better moments” — Alan Cawley looks to sum it up on RTÉ.
18 Nov 2025
3:48PM
SECOND-HALF – Switzerland get us underway, having made one change at the break. Ireland as they were.
18 Nov 2025
3:50PM
46 mins – Leonard with an impressive challenge to cut out Koloto after a quick Swiss break – but the Irish star centre-half seems to have injured himself in the process.
So too, Butler. Nervy moments here.
18 Nov 2025
3:50PM
47 mins - Both lads are back in action. Phew.
18 Nov 2025
3:53PM
POST! Wyss hits the woodwork, the half-time substitute latching onto a diagonal ball on the right and getting the better of Solanke but his shot across the face of goal hits the post.
He had another good chance just before that, and the Swiss just had another – didn’t quite catch the player.
53 mins - After a string of Swiss chances, Noonan relieves the pressure as he’s hacked down on an upfield run. Finneran’s curling delivery beats everyone and trickles out.
Switzerland back on the front foot, they have a corner…
18 Nov 2025
3:58PM
55 mins - The delivery beats everyone, and Umeh is fouled as he drives out on the other flank. Noonan launches the free, Umeh and Noonan prominent but Finneran is pinged for handball as Ireland look to manufacture an attack.
Lengthy delay there, words being had with players and management, but we’re back underway. RTÉ talking about possible issues with the goal technology.
18 Nov 2025
4:10PM
67 mins – Ireland have been enjoying more possession, with some decent balls being played into the area but no joy as of yet.
Noonan gets a shot away, but the Swiss ‘keeper comfortably claims.
Solanke flies down the left, combining with Noonan but his cross has too much on it.
Better from Ireland, they’ve been much more aggressive in the last few minutes.
18 Nov 2025
4:11PM
GOAL! Switzerland 2-0 Ireland (Wyss 69)
A superb strike doubles Switzerland’s lead. Sucker punch from Ireland, who were mounting a decent fightback.
The half-time substitute collects a loose ball and fires home on the half-volley. A brilliant individual goal, leaving Noonan with no chance.
18 Nov 2025
4:15PM
Ireland change: Ogbonna for Solanke.
18 Nov 2025
4:16PM
73 mins - The game is stretched, Ireland doing their utmost to muster up a response but the Swiss hold the upper hand.
Another nervy moment, Butler doing just enough to clear Ireland’s lines after a corner is met by an unmarked header.
18 Nov 2025
4:18PM
SAVE! Superb from Noonan, to deny the latest Swiss shot from Mladen MIjajlovic. He was sure he had scored.
18 Nov 2025
4:22PM
77 mins – Ireland appeal for handball in the box, but the referee waves play on.
They sustain some pressure thereafter, but Switzerland eventually clear their lines: via hitting McDonnell, who is now back to his feet after treatment.
Ozhianvuna goes in the book for fouling and stopping a promising Swiss attack.
18 Nov 2025
4:24PM
80 mins - McMahon Brown with a superb goal-line clearance to deny a certain third goal.
It all came from an Ireland corner at the other end. More half-hearted pleas for a penalty were waved on, Switzerland broke at pace but were stopped on the line.
Frantic stuff, Umeh lifting just over, his shot deflected.
18 Nov 2025
4:25PM
GOAL! Switzerland 2-1 Ireland (Leonard 82)
VINNIE LEONARD!!!!! Ireland have a lifeline!!!!!
A corner causes havoc, pinball in the box as the ball is cleared off the line and Leonard gets the last touch to pull Ireland right back into this game.
We have a grandstand finish.
18 Nov 2025
4:27PM
POST! Switzerland hit the woodwork again. Ireland breathe a sigh of relief and go again.
18 Nov 2025
4:29PM
GOAL! Switzerland 3-1 Ireland (Mijajlovic 88)
Aghhh. That should be that.
Another deflected goal, Mijajlovic’s effort from wide right ricocheting off an Irish player and looping over Noonan.
He’s taken off just after, as Switzerland make some changes to wind down the clock.
18 Nov 2025
4:33PM
89 mins - Ireland giving it everything as the game continues to stretch.
Seven minutes added on.
18 Nov 2025
4:35PM
90 mins + 3 - Switzerland causing havoc in the Irish box now, with tired legs and minds on show. Their latest shot is cleared by Sherlock.
Umeh continues to hassle and harry up top, winning a free kick in a good position…
18 Nov 2025
4:37PM
SAVE! Finneran goes direct with the free, but the Swiss ‘keeper dives to his right and parries out for a corner. Nothing comes off it.
Another Swiss change to eat into the last few minutes. 94:40 on the clock.
18 Nov 2025
4:39PM
90 mins + 5 - Umeh goes down screaming, but is back on his feet as he wins the corner.
It’s punched away. Switzerland concede another, but the near-post delivery is cut out.
Into the final minute…
18 Nov 2025
4:39PM
90 mins + 7 - The Swiss ‘keeper comfortably gathers Umeh’s header off a long delivery.
So, Ireland’s U17 World Cup dream comes to an end.
Colin O’Brien’s side bow out at the last-16 stage after a 3-1 defeat to Switzerland.
The goals all came in the second half: Switzerland taking a 2-0 lead before Vinnie Leonard gave Ireland a lifeline. But the Swiss struck again in the 88th minute, and now go on to play Portugal in the quarter-finals.
Disappointment and dejection for Ireland, but what a brilliant run they had in Qatar.
And what an incredible few days for Irish football. The future is bright.
You can read more on The 42 shortly, but we’ll leave the liveblog there. Thanks for reading!
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As it happened: Ireland v Switzerland, U17 World Cup
FT: Switzerland 3-1 Ireland
An unforgettable few days for Irish football continues at the U17 World Cup in Qatar.
Colin O’Brien’s side face Switzerland in the last 16 in Doha, with a quarter-final spot up for grabs.
Kick-off is at 2.45pm, with the action live on RTÉ 2.
Here’s the Ireland starting XI…
Ireland and Switzerland met in two recent friendlies; Switzerland winning the first 3-0 and the second game finishing in a 1-1 draw.
Pre-match formalities done and dusted, here we go…
KICK-OFF: Ireland get us underway, launching it long for a Swiss throw-in.
2 mins - Switzerland with the first shot in anger, but it’s well over Alex Noonan’s goal.
Ireland playing the ball around now, looking to settle. They’ve started with a back three, as expected.
5 mins – Jaden Umeh dances down the right but is smothered by a Swiss defender on the endline. Grady McDonnell was in a good position centrally, but the ball got away from Umeh and the chance went abegging.
At the other end, there are half-hearted calls for a Swiss penalty but the referee immediately waves play on. Would need to see that one back.
8 mins - Scrappy and tentative the last few minutes, with glimpses of promising Irish play: Umeh and Noonan linking up well. They threaten down the right, but the referee gets in the way as Finneran tears through the middle.
12 mins – Ireland apply pressure with back to back corners: the first, won by Solanke, is delivered by Finneran, kept alive by Martos, and McDonnell’s delivery ricochets out for another. The second is cleared by a big defensive header, Switzerland look to counter but Ireland scramble to cut out the threat.
15 mins – Noonan comfortably claims Koloto’s overhead kick from the edge of the box, after a second long throw into the box. Leonard cleared the first.
Switzerland enjoying a long spell of pressure now, Ireland happy to sit off.
17 mins - Koloto with another shot, this one is more straightforward… but tame, and Noonan is equal to it. He’s getting more and more involved in the last few minutes, as Switzerland look to take control.
20 mins - Ireland lift the pressure momentarily: Michael Noonan can’t find Umeh with a deep cross. The Shamrock Rovers youngster threatens on the run with Ireland’s next attack, but he’s cut out.
Bruchez picks up the first yellow card of the game for a jersey pull.
26 mins - Two decent efforts from Ireland: Martos with the first, a first-time strike from 25 yards which is deflected out for a corner.
The second came a little after the set-piece, McDonnell dragging just across the face of goal and wide – also from range. The Swiss ‘keeper may have had that one covered.
The full-time whistle and reaction is heard from another pitch at the complex: Portugal have beaten Mexico 5-0, they face the winner here in the quarter-finals.
32 mins - Switzerland with a reminder of the threat they pose in the last few minutes. They’ve grown into the game more and more. Let off for Ireland as they’re caught on the break and the wrong option is taken, they recover to block Correia’s shot.
Ozhianvuna has been busy. Sherlock with a big block on Koloto just there.
35 mins – Another long throw from the right follows that, Ireland are passive and let the Swiss get another shot away but it’s comfortably claimed.
They persist with playing out from the back, undone on this occasion, but luckily not fatally.
36 mins - Good Irish play there as they knock the ball around, prod and probe. Noonan is leading the charge up top alongside Umeh, ready to pounce.
Nice turn from Arsenal-bound Shamrock Rovers youngster Ozhianvuna amidst it all.
38 mins – There’s a chance! Noonan’s first touch to control Sherlock’s long delivery sets him up, but the Rovers youngster lifts over the bar. Better from Ireland, can they nick a goal before half time?
42 mins – Solanke’s long deliveries are causing problems, Umeh looking to latch onto the latest of those but the Swiss goalkeeper deals accordingly.
Finneran steps up with a big block at the other end, Umeh wins a free-kick as they break.
44 mins – Switzerland looking to finish the half strong, as they up the ante. But so too are Ireland: Noonan and Umeh trying to combine just before the whistle.
The Swiss player – I didn’t quite catch who it was – was booked for that earlier challenge on Umeh.
HALF-TIME: Ireland 0-0 Switzerland
So that’s that for the first half in Doha. It’s finely-poised, all to play for in the second.
Switzerland have shaded it as the better team, but Ireland have pretty done well. Both sides have had chances, with Noonan, Martos and McDonnell threatening for the Young Boys In Green. All it takes is one moment.
Like against Canada last week, if it’s 0-0 after 90 minutes, this goes straight to a penalty shootout. A quarter-final is the big prize on offer.
“They probably had more sustained attacks, we had better moments” — Alan Cawley looks to sum it up on RTÉ.
SECOND-HALF – Switzerland get us underway, having made one change at the break. Ireland as they were.
46 mins – Leonard with an impressive challenge to cut out Koloto after a quick Swiss break – but the Irish star centre-half seems to have injured himself in the process.
So too, Butler. Nervy moments here.
47 mins - Both lads are back in action. Phew.
POST! Wyss hits the woodwork, the half-time substitute latching onto a diagonal ball on the right and getting the better of Solanke but his shot across the face of goal hits the post.
He had another good chance just before that, and the Swiss just had another – didn’t quite catch the player.
53 mins - After a string of Swiss chances, Noonan relieves the pressure as he’s hacked down on an upfield run. Finneran’s curling delivery beats everyone and trickles out.
Switzerland back on the front foot, they have a corner…
55 mins - The delivery beats everyone, and Umeh is fouled as he drives out on the other flank. Noonan launches the free, Umeh and Noonan prominent but Finneran is pinged for handball as Ireland look to manufacture an attack.
GOAL! Switzerland 1-0 Ireland (Llukes 57)
Aghhhhhh! That had been coming, Ireland struggling to get out of their half.
Adrien Llukes’ effort is deflected by Butler, wrong-footing Noonan, and that’s the deadlock broken.
Here’s a look at the goal…
Ireland change: Kian McMahon Brown for Martos.
Lengthy delay there, words being had with players and management, but we’re back underway. RTÉ talking about possible issues with the goal technology.
67 mins – Ireland have been enjoying more possession, with some decent balls being played into the area but no joy as of yet.
Noonan gets a shot away, but the Swiss ‘keeper comfortably claims.
Solanke flies down the left, combining with Noonan but his cross has too much on it.
Better from Ireland, they’ve been much more aggressive in the last few minutes.
GOAL! Switzerland 2-0 Ireland (Wyss 69)
A superb strike doubles Switzerland’s lead. Sucker punch from Ireland, who were mounting a decent fightback.
The half-time substitute collects a loose ball and fires home on the half-volley. A brilliant individual goal, leaving Noonan with no chance.
Ireland change: Ogbonna for Solanke.
73 mins - The game is stretched, Ireland doing their utmost to muster up a response but the Swiss hold the upper hand.
Another nervy moment, Butler doing just enough to clear Ireland’s lines after a corner is met by an unmarked header.
SAVE! Superb from Noonan, to deny the latest Swiss shot from Mladen MIjajlovic. He was sure he had scored.
77 mins – Ireland appeal for handball in the box, but the referee waves play on.
They sustain some pressure thereafter, but Switzerland eventually clear their lines: via hitting McDonnell, who is now back to his feet after treatment.
Ozhianvuna goes in the book for fouling and stopping a promising Swiss attack.
80 mins - McMahon Brown with a superb goal-line clearance to deny a certain third goal.
It all came from an Ireland corner at the other end. More half-hearted pleas for a penalty were waved on, Switzerland broke at pace but were stopped on the line.
Frantic stuff, Umeh lifting just over, his shot deflected.
GOAL! Switzerland 2-1 Ireland (Leonard 82)
VINNIE LEONARD!!!!! Ireland have a lifeline!!!!!
A corner causes havoc, pinball in the box as the ball is cleared off the line and Leonard gets the last touch to pull Ireland right back into this game.
We have a grandstand finish.
POST! Switzerland hit the woodwork again. Ireland breathe a sigh of relief and go again.
GOAL! Switzerland 3-1 Ireland (Mijajlovic 88)
Aghhh. That should be that.
Another deflected goal, Mijajlovic’s effort from wide right ricocheting off an Irish player and looping over Noonan.
He’s taken off just after, as Switzerland make some changes to wind down the clock.
89 mins - Ireland giving it everything as the game continues to stretch.
Seven minutes added on.
90 mins + 3 - Switzerland causing havoc in the Irish box now, with tired legs and minds on show. Their latest shot is cleared by Sherlock.
Umeh continues to hassle and harry up top, winning a free kick in a good position…
SAVE! Finneran goes direct with the free, but the Swiss ‘keeper dives to his right and parries out for a corner. Nothing comes off it.
Another Swiss change to eat into the last few minutes. 94:40 on the clock.
90 mins + 5 - Umeh goes down screaming, but is back on his feet as he wins the corner.
It’s punched away. Switzerland concede another, but the near-post delivery is cut out.
Into the final minute…
90 mins + 7 - The Swiss ‘keeper comfortably gathers Umeh’s header off a long delivery.
That should be that.
FULL-TIME: Switzerland 3-1 Ireland
So, Ireland’s U17 World Cup dream comes to an end.
Colin O’Brien’s side bow out at the last-16 stage after a 3-1 defeat to Switzerland.
The goals all came in the second half: Switzerland taking a 2-0 lead before Vinnie Leonard gave Ireland a lifeline. But the Swiss struck again in the 88th minute, and now go on to play Portugal in the quarter-finals.
Disappointment and dejection for Ireland, but what a brilliant run they had in Qatar.
And what an incredible few days for Irish football. The future is bright.
You can read more on The 42 shortly, but we’ll leave the liveblog there. Thanks for reading!
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
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