Honduras held Switzerland to a 0-0 draw in Group H of the World Cup on Friday, a result that knocked both teams out of the tournament.
The Swiss could have locked up a spot in the round of 16 with a two-goal win over Honduras, but played with little urgency or creative flair, and couldn't translate its dominance of possession into quality scoring opportunities.
Honduras, playing in its first World Cup since 1982, almost stole a win in the 71st, but Switzerland keeper Diego Benaglio denied an unmarked Edgar Alvarez with a brilliant one-handed save.
Spain and Chile finished even on six points after Spain's 2-1 win over the South Americans in the other Group H match. Switzerland finished on four, and Honduras on one.
``We are very disappointed. Not just me, everyone the players, the staff, the people behind the scenes,'' Switzerland coach Ottmar Hitzfeld said. ``In the end there is only the win against Spain, but we have to leave with our heads held high even if we didn't make it.''
The Swiss campaign in South Africa started with a 1-0 upset win over European champion Spain, but the team then lost 1-0 to Chile, and couldn't muster a goal against winless Honduras.
Switzerland, which has conceded only one goal across seven games at the past two World Cups, had to score against Honduras. The team has struggled up front for months, netting just three goals in seven matches heading into Friday's game, and the team's inability to finish proved its downfall.
``We had an incredible Diego Benaglio who kept us in the game,'' Hitzfeld said. ``But as far as our creative play, that's not something I can be happy with. I'm not happy with my strikers, either.''
Eren Derfiyok went close for the Swiss in the 17th when Tranquillo Barnetta's cross from the left found Derdiyok at the back post, but the striker headed just wide of the post.
Blaise Nkufo then had two chances just before halftime. The first came in the 43rd, when a cross from Derdiyok found Nkufo at the back post, but Nkufo could only tamely chest the ball across the goal mouth. A minute later Nkufo headed a free kick from Reto Ziegler just wide.
``You could see the team was very nervous. It took a long time to get in the game,'' Hitzfeld said. ``In the second half it was end to end play but we didn't earn a place in the next round because we didn't score.
``We failed to deliver because we had too much pressure. We had to score two goals and this made my players very nervous.''
After a tight first 45 minutes, the game opened up after the break. Needing to score, Hitzfeld brought on Hakan Yakin at the interval and striker Alexander Frei in the 69th.
Tranquillo Barnetta had a solid chance for Switzerland in the 60th, finding space in the box only to hit his right-foot shot straight at keeper Noel Valladares. Derdiyok had a similar chance three minutes later that Valladares easily blocked.
``We played a good match,'' Valladares said. ``We had much more ball possession. We felt much more self assured ... We had the chances to win but the team that scores wins.''
With two speedy strikers, David Suazo and Jerry Palacios, Honduras looked dangerous on the counter. And as the Swiss pushed forward in desperation, Honduras created a couple of solid chances.
The Central Americans should have taken the lead in the 53rd, but striker David Suazo flicked his header wide after clever work by right winger Edgar Alvarez.
Alvarez had his own golden opportunity 18 minutes later on a swift counter, only to be denied by a one-handed reaction save from Diego Benaglio.
Honduras struggled from the start in a tough group, losing 1-0 to Chile and 2-0 to Spain. The team exits South Africa without having scored a goal, but at least getting a point.
Coach Reinaldo Rueda, who selected six new players Friday from the loss to Spain, took heart from his squad's performance against Switzerland.
``The players knew well the importance of this last game,'' he said. ``They couldn't unleash their potential in the first half but they knew of course what this game meant. They really showed their courage and brought everything they had.''
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Lineups:
Switzerland: Diego Benaglio, Stephan Lichtsteiner, Steven Von Bergen, Benjamin Huggel (Xherdan Shaqiri, 78), Tranquillo Barnetta, Gokhan Inler, Blaise Nkufo (Alex Frei, 69), Stephane Grichting, Gelson Fernandes (Hakan Yakin, 46), Reto Ziegler, Eren Derdiyok.
Honduras: Noel Valladares, Osman Chavez, Maynor Figueroa, Victor Bernardez, Hendry Thomas, Ramon Nunez (Walter Martinez, 67), Wilson Palacios, Jerry Palacios (Georgie Welcome, 78), David Suazo (Danilo Turcios, 87), Mauricio Sabillon, Edgard Alvarez.
