Vargas confident Swiss can top World Cup group after 'wake-up call'

Switzerland's draw against Qatar in their opening World Cup match served as a crucial "wake-up call," forward Ruben Vargas stated, warning against complacency. The Swiss team was stunned by a stoppage-time equalizer from Qatar on Saturday, who absorbed a game-long offensive before securing their first-ever World Cup point in a 1-1 draw.

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This game was obviously another wake-up call for us.

Switzerland registered 26 goal attempts in Santa Clara, their highest tally in a World Cup game since 1966, according to Opta Analyst. "This game was obviously another wake-up call for us," Vargas told reporters at the team's base camp. "You get nervous in the game when you see that you're not going to score the second goal to end the game... football has written many stories, in the end it only takes one chance."

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You get nervous in the game when you see that you're not going to score the second goal to end the game... football has written many stories, in the end it only takes one chance.

Vargas acknowledged the team's struggles in finishing their chances and the defensive lapse that led to the equalizer. "Sometimes the ball doesn't go in but that's not an excuse... we have to keep on working on our defence," he added. Switzerland, a regular in the tournament and playing in their sixth consecutive World Cup, is aiming for their best performance, having not reached the quarterfinals since 1954.

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Sometimes the ball doesn't go in but that's not an excuse ... we have to keep on working on our defence.

Confidence remains high within the squad following their strong performance in Euro 2024, where a penalty shootout miss against England prevented them from reaching a historic semi-final. Vargas, who plays for Sevilla in Spain, noted that while Switzerland has faced criticism for their misfiring offense and defensive slip-up, the team remains focused on their remaining matches against Bosnia and co-hosts Canada. "It is what it is. We got a point, the others got a point too. Everything is still possible, we can still win the group, we shouldn't get worked up about not winning the game," Vargas said. "We have to be positive as well, go into the games with a good mindset."

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It is what it is. We got a point, the others got a point too. Everything is still possible, we can still win the group, we shouldn't get worked up about not winning the game.