Akanji in action for Switzerland against Australia

Manuel Akanji’s Switzerland completed their final warm-up match ahead of the World Cup with a 1-1 draw against Australia at Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego. The Nerazzurri centre-back was named in the starting line-up by head coach Yakin and remained on the pitch for 79 minutes before being replaced by Comert. Akanji was booked in the 32nd minute for a foul on Irankunda.

Switzerland took the lead after 14 minutes through Ndoye, who was played in by an incisive pass from Xhaka, but Australia equalised in the 56th minute: a long ball from Burgess was flicked on by Metcalfe, allowing Yengi to tap into an empty net.

Drawn in Group B alongside Qatar, Bosnia and Canada, Switzerland will begin their World Cup campaign on Saturday 13 June at 21:00 CEST against Qatar in Santa Clara.