Switzerland's EURO 2024 qualification hopes dashed by late Israeli equalizer

Switzerland's national football team must postpone their quest for a spot in UEFA EURO 2024, as Israel clinched a last-minute 1-1 draw on Wednesday evening.

Switzerland's midfielder, Ruben Vargas, scored the first goal in the 36th minute of the match, which UEFA rescheduled due to the ongoing Gaza conflict.

Murat Yakin's Switzerland squad could have secured their place in next summer's tournament with a victory, but Israel managed to salvage a draw in the closing minutes of the game.

Shon Weissman leveled the score in the 88th minute, resulting in a 1-1 draw at Felcsut in Hungary, where Israel now plays its home matches.

Group I leaders, Switzerland, have accumulated 16 points in eight matches. Their next match will be against Kosovo in Basel on Saturday. A victory against Kosovo could still secure Switzerland's place in the EURO 2024 finals in Germany.

On the same day, Israel will face Romania in Felcsut. Romania stands in second place in the group with 16 points. Israel, in third place with 12 points, also has hopes of qualifying, pending their match against Romania this weekend. Kosovo follows with 10 points.

Belarus holds six points, while Andorra has only two points, making them the two lowest-ranking teams in Group I.

In Group I, only the top two teams will qualify for EURO 2024.

Meanwhile, Granit Xhaka, who made his Switzerland debut in 2011, set a new all-time appearance record for his nation by accumulating 119 international caps. The former Arsenal regular surpassed the previous record held by Swiss player Heinz Hermann.