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Southampton: World Cup dream over for Steven Davis

By Chris Hughes

BASEL, SWITZERLAND - NOVEMBER 12: Steven Davis of Northern Ireland looks dejected following the FIFA 2018 World Cup Qualifier Play-Off: Second Leg between Switzerland and Northern Ireland at St. Jakob-Park on November 12, 2017 in Basel, Basel-Stadt. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
BASEL, SWITZERLAND - NOVEMBER 12: Steven Davis of Northern Ireland looks dejected following the FIFA 2018 World Cup Qualifier Play-Off: Second Leg between Switzerland and Northern Ireland at St. Jakob-Park on November 12, 2017 in Basel, Basel-Stadt. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images) /
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On a heartbreaking night in Switzerland, the Southampton skipper’s hopes of making the World Cup finals next year in Russia were dashed.

The second game ended 0-0 after 90 minutes, meaning the frustrating first leg that saw Northern Ireland lose 1-0 via a controversial penalty decision remained the only difference between the two sides.

Corry Evans was adjudged to have deliberately stopped Xherdan Shaqiri’s stinging volley with the top of his arm, thus awarding Vladimir Petkovic’s side as spot-kick. It was dispatched confidently by Milan full-back Ricardo Rodriguez.

The Swiss were the favourites going into the play-off, having reached each of the last three tournaments.

The Northern Irish put out a good performance on the night, but couldn’t break the home side down, and were unable to get that crucial goal to take the game to extra time.

BELFAST, NORTHERN IRELAND – NOVEMBER 09: Ricardo Rodriguez of Switzerland scores his sides first goal during the FIFA 2018 World Cup Qualifier Play-Off: First Leg between Northern Ireland and Switzerland at Windsor Park on November 9, 2017 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
BELFAST, NORTHERN IRELAND – NOVEMBER 09: Ricardo Rodriguez of Switzerland scores his sides first goal during the FIFA 2018 World Cup Qualifier Play-Off: First Leg between Northern Ireland and Switzerland at Windsor Park on November 9, 2017 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images) /

The game was not only make-or-break or Northern Ireland as a country but also for captain Steven Davis, who made his 101th appearance for the senior side tonight.

At 32, Davis will be 38 by the time the 2022 World Cup rolls around, and whilst he might still be involved with his national side, he’ll almost certainly have less influence on the first team as he does now.

Northern Ireland finished second behind current World Cup holders Germany in their group, making for a noble effort from Michael O’Neill’s side.

Next: Boufal reaches WC finals

However, the Swiss won a whole eight more points from their round 1 endeavors, with nine wins out of a possible ten.

Having qualified for EURO 2016, Davis his Northern Ireland side are arguably enjoying one of the golden eras of their national side’s history. The Southampton man was recently rewarded for his services to country, with the 32-year-old being named as an MBE.

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