Switzerland have qualified for the 2018 World Cup after a 0-0 draw with Northern Ireland in Basel.
The Swiss advance to next summer’s tournament in Russia on a 1-0 aggregate win, following the controversial first leg win in Belfast days ago.
Northern Ireland failed to trouble Yann Sommer in goal for the Swiss, though the Borussia Mochengladbach goalkeeper had to be alert to deny Chris Brunt twice.
With the result, Northern Ireland’s wait for a first appearance at the World Cup since 1986 extends to another four years.
Meanwhile, Switzerland have avoided what would have been an unenviable record, as they could have become the first team to miss out on the World Cup proper despite earning 27points in the group phase of the qualifying series had they failed to get past Northern Ireland in the play-off.
