Evening all and welcome to Switzerland v Ireland!

GOAL! Switzerland 1-0 Ireland (Seferovic) Ireland cede possession sloppily and then Zakaria marches through Whelan to win a high ball, finding Zakaria who finds Seferovic, 20 yards out ... and he drives left-footed and low, through Duffy's legs and across Randolph into the far corner! Game on!

Schar strides although the middle of the pitch, but Egan's there to block his attempted through-pass, and when the ball goes wide, there he is again to head clear.

Lichsteiner's armband is so big I wonder if it's to help him swim. Or to remind us that he's captain, given his performance is unlikely to do likewise.

First Irish attack, Stevens attacking down the left and driving a low cross which Elvedi blocks at source. The resultant corner comes to nowt.

That Italy goal...

The pitch is cutting up something fierce.

Interplay between Hendrick and Browne before the latter's through-pass goes long. But better from Ireland, who've started slowly.

Sommer, the Swiss keeper, described Ireland's style as "unpleasant". He's right too, but it's not as unpleasant as not qualifying for the finals.

Switzerland are in the mood, passing and moving nicely through midfield to make space for a Xhaka shot ... and he unloads a low one which bounces in front of Randolph, but the keeper does well to shove away.

Xhaka into Seferovic, who slides a ball in behind for Zakaria, but he runs out of pitch. Goalkick.

...Rodriguez curls it straight into the wall.

Switzerland win a free-kick down the right,m just outside the box...

Italy are already ahead in Lichtenstein.

Ireland hump it long and Collins givers away the first of what will doubtless be many fouls, jumping into Schar.

Away we go! This really is a monster for both sides.

Touch of the happy birthdays about the Swiss anthem.

It's not raining in Geneva, which is something.

Here they come!

The players are tunnelled....

Mick McCarthy also said that he thinks the pitch will be a leveller, i.e. he knows Switzerland are better at football than his lot, but he isn't really expecting that kind of affair.