Ukraine find form to sink Switzerland

Early goals helped Ukraine earn the points against Switzerland, preventing Pierluigi Tami's side from joining Croatia at the top of UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifying Group 5.

A win would have taken the Swiss to 12 points alongside Croatia, but Vladyslav Kalitvintsev and Ruslan Babenko struck inside the first 15 minutes to grab the initiative for Serhiy Kovalets' men. Leonardo Bertone got a late consolation for the hosts but it came too late to prevent Ukraine pulling to within three points of Switzerland with a game in hand.

The home side were made to pay for missing three presentable chances in the first six minutes as Ukraine found the net with their first opening. Babenko crossed for Kalitvintsev who smashed past Yvon Mvogo. On the quarter hour Babenko doubled the advantage with a remarkable strike from near halfway. With Mvogo off his line the No10 lobbed the ball over the stranded custodian and into the empty net.

Ukraine continued to run the show, but the Swiss fought back strongly after the restart. A disciplined visiting defensive performance kept the hosts at bay until the 86th minute, when substitute Bertone collected a clearance and crashed a powerful shot into the left corner of the Ukraine goal from 30 metres. But the visitors would not be denied.