Danilova double crowns comeback

Devastating combination
Caroline Abbé's first-minute header had left the Swiss ahead at half-time but right-winger Elena Morozova twice found Danilova to devastating effect. Although France lead these Group B rivals by three points after defeating the Netherlands, all four teams could yet make the semi-finals and an exciting denouement beckons on Sunday when the hosts meet Les Bleuettes and Russia, currently second on head-to-head record, play the Dutch.

Late change
The Swiss lineup was to have been unaltered from their impressive 2-0 win against the Netherlands but a late hamstring injury to Vanessa Bernauer pressed striker Sara Schwarz into action. Russia midfielders Svetlana Akimova and Elena Schegoleva came in for Kristina Anokhina, who was forced off early with illness in the 4-1 defeat by France, and Natalia Saratovtseva.

Swift goal
Defender Abbé gave Switzerland a dream start within 45 seconds when she headed in a free-kick. Soon after Maeva Sarrasin, who scored a solo goal against the Dutch, almost repeated the trick but Kristina Slashchinina saved. Russia soon began to pose a threat themselves down the right through Morozova and Danilova, who forced the first stop from Swiss goalkeeper Stenia Michel after some clever footwork.

Schwarz denied
The rest of the first half was an entertaining affair with both teams pushing forward and ended with a moment of drama. Schwarz forced her way through the Russian back line and chipped the ball on to the crossbar; Sarrasin won the race to the rebound but hit the side-netting and on the break Danilova was only denied by Michel.

Danilova double
However, the Swiss goalkeeper was powerless five minutes into the second half when Morozova crossed and Danilova headed in from close range. Michel denied the goalscorer ten minutes later, but just before the hour Morozova and Danilova combined again to put Russia ahead, the No9 latching on to a fine centre, fooling her markers and shooting inside the far post.

Late chances
Six minutes later a hat-trick seemed certain as Elena Terekova found Danilova in front of goal but Michel's reactions were superb, and she also did well to save a long-range Terekova drive. Sarrasin had a great chance to equalise on 76 minutes when she broke clear but her shot went wide and Switzerland, who came close twice at the death, could have lost by more had Danilova taken one of her late chances. Nevertheless, her contribution had already been decisive.

Player of the match: Elena Morozova (Russia)