Swiss too strong for Albania

Switzerland continued their winning start to the World Cup qualifying campaign with a routine 2-0 victory over Albania in Lucerne.

Switzerland continued their winning start to the World Cup qualifying campaign with a routine 2-0 victory over Albania in Lucerne. After an impressive 2-0 win in Slovenia in their opening Group E fixture on Friday, Ottmar Hitzfeld's side were again on song this evening as goals from Xherdan Shaqiri and Gokhan Inler took the Swiss to top spot. Defeat for Albania leaves them still on three points after they opened up with a 3-1 win over Cyprus prior to the weekend. Albania served notice of their intention to take their game to their opponents in the 18th minute when Alban Meha forced Diego Benaglio into action with a shot from distance. But the visitors were rocked back on their heels in the 22nd minute when Granit Xhaka centred the ball from the right and Shaqiri took possession before lashing the ball low into the net from the edge of the area. The hosts almost made it two four minutes later when Johan Djourou's header from Shaqiri's free-kick was blocked by Samir Ujkani, but within seconds Albania threatened again as Ervin Bulku's powerful volley was punched clear by Benaglio. The hosts looked the side most likely to add to the scoring, however, and midway through the second half Shaqiri's well-hit shot was kept at bay by Ujkani. Switzerland added their second goal in the 69th minute after Valentin Stocker was brought down by Andi Lila in the area. Inler stepped up to take the penalty, stroking the ball confidently into the bottom-right corner to secure the points for the home side.