Swiss draw means honours are even in Ireland's qualifying group

Israel 2 Switzerland 2

Two spectacular goals from midfielder Yossi Benayoun saved Israel, while the Swiss recovered from an early deficit with two strikes midway through the first half to take the lead through Alexander Frei and Johan Vonlanthen.

Both sides have five points in their group, the same as Ireland and France, who drew 0-0 in Paris.

Benayoun opened the scoring in the ninth minute with a superb solo effort as he weaved through the middle of the Swiss defence before rounding goalkeeper Pascal Zuberbuhler and side-footing into the empty net.

The organised Swiss remained unfazed and controlled the midfield before managing to equalise through Frei in the 26th minute when Israel failed to clear in a mix-up in the area.

Frei was returning to his side after being suspended for two matches for spitting at England's Steven Gerrard at Euro 2004.

The Swiss silenced the Tel Aviv crowd of some 38,000 when Vonlanthen rose high in the 34th minute to head in from a cross on the left by Ludovic Magnin.

The introduction of Avi Nimni in the second half was supposed to give Israel more control of the midfield, but before he even had a chance to make an impression, Benayoun scored for a second time when he acrobatically volleyed home a rebounding shot off the Swiss goalkeeper. The Swiss continued to dominate the midfield throughout the second half, although they tired in the warm evening air, leaving the Israelis to create some dangerous counter-attacking moves on which they failed to capitalise.

Israel coach Avraham Grant said: "Our formation allows Benayoun to play in a free role and realise his potential."

Swiss coach Kobi Kuhn said: "A draw is a fair result but whether I have gained a point or lost two, we will have to see as the tournament progresses. There is still a long way to go."

Before the match there was a minute's silence in memory of the victims of Thursday's bombings at Egyptian Red Sea resorts which killed at least 33 people, most of them Israeli holiday-makers.

ISRAEL: Davidovich; Gazal (Nimni 46), Benado, Ben-Haim, Gershon (Saban 78), Keisi, Badir, Tal, Benayoun, Afek, Balili (Golan 58)

SWITZERLAND: Zuberbuhler; Haas, Magnin, Muller, Yakin (Henchoz 63), Vogel, Cabanas, Barnetta (Gygax 33), Frei, Yakin (Lonfat 80), Vonlanthen

Referee: Mark Shield (Australia).