Streller leaves Switzerland satisfied

Switzerland 1-1 Argentina
A quick-thinking Marco Streller ensured a respectable friendly draw for UEFA EURO 2008™ co-hosts Switzerland against Argentina in rain-sodden Basel tonight.

Frei absent
While Argentina coach Alfio Basile was able to field a strong eleven, his Swiss counterpart Jakob Kuhn could not rely on the services of key forward Alexander Frei and defensive midfielder Blerim Dzemaili due to injuries. After a first half hampered by the difficult conditions, both teams found their range in the second half. In-form West Ham United FC striker Carlos Tévez opened the scoring but Streller was on hand to ensure parity for the hosts.

Tévez opener
Switzerland began brighter than their visitors but as the first half wore on Lionel Messi and Tévez began to pull the strings. It was the former who created the best chance of the half, with his free-kick being met by Gabriel Milito only for the post to save Switzerland. It was no surprise when Messi supplied a sublime cross soon after the interval for Tévez to score with a well-taken header after diving full length.

Late chances
Midway through the half, Streller drew the home team level as he pounced after a goalmouth scramble to shoot beyond Roberto Abbondanzieri in the Argentina goal. Both sides seemed content to hang on to what they had after that although Esteban Cambiasso saw Philipp Degen block his header on the line and Diego Milito shot wide after racing clear. Switzerland's next friendly is on 22 August against the Netherlands while Argentina will continue preparing for the summer's Copa América with a match against Algeria in Barcelona on Tuesday.