Ranos wins with Armenia, a draw for Elvedi and Switzerland

Grant-Leon Ranos and the Armenia national side have ended their current international period with a win, while Switzerland, including Nico Elvedi, only picked up a point in their European Championship qualifier.

Armenia have risen to second place in Group D of the European Championship qualification thanks to a 2-1 win over Latvia. Borussia’s new signing in summer Grant-Leon Ranos was once again in the starting line-up. In contrast to his first two international games, in which he scored two braces, the 19-year-old did not make a goal contribution in the game.

Nayair Tiknizyan sent Armenia into the lead ten minutes before half time. An own goal from Styopa Mkrtchyan levelled the game for Latvia in the middle of the second half (67’), but in the first minute of injury time, Oleksandr Petrakov’s side made it 2-1 when Tigran Barseghyan, who was substituted on for Ranos in the 77th minute, converted a penalty.

The Switzerland national team, including Nico Elvedi (Photo: imago images/Just Pictures), could only pick up a point in their European Championship qualifier on Monday evening, giving away their 2-0 lead over Romania in the final period. Borussia’s central defender played the whole game, in which Zeki Amdouni scored a brace for Switzerland (28’, 41’). The lead was still intact up to the 89th minute, before Valentin Mihaila scored a brace of his own to equalise for Romania (89’, 90+2’).

“We just didn’t score that third goal, and we have to look at ourselves for that,” said national coach Murat Yakin, who was frustrated after the final whistle, adding, “When you put in an effort like that and create so many goal-scoring chances, then of course you’re are unhappy and disappointed about the two points dropped.” Despite the draw, Switzerland are still top of Group I with ten points (3W, 1D).