Switzerland end Togo's journey

Togo 0 Switzerland 2: Switzerland have taken control of Group G after overcoming a stiff challenge from World Cup debutants Togo before ending the African side's hopes with a battling 2-0 win.

After suffering in ferociously hot conditions during their opening 0-0 draw with France, the Swiss were made to work, but Alexander Frei's 16th minute strike and Tranquillo Barnetta's 88th minute drive finally dividing the teams.

Togo, whose players had threatened on Sunday to boycott the match over a long-running internal pay dispute, seemed unhampered by the upheaval when the game got underway.

Aside from Frei's goal, there was little to distinguish the two teams during the first half with Switzerland enjoying plenty of possession but Togo looking the more dangerous on the break.

Just as Switzerland were starting to look shaky,  their topscorer came to his side's rescue once again, with his 26th international goal.

Right back Ludovic Magnin pressed forward before crossing the ball to Barnetta who deftly flicked a first touch pass across the goalmouth for Frei to turn in.

In the 35th minute, the Arsenal striker Emmanuel Adebayor was involved in the half's most controversial moment when he attempted to swerve around Patrick Mueller in the penalty area before seeming to be caught by the Swiss defender's flailing leg.

To Togo's disgust, the referee ignored their penalty appeals.

It was only when the second half got underway that  Switzerland finally started to look worth their lead, with Barnetta, Frei and half-time substitute Hakan Yakin all going close shortly after the restart.

In the 64th minute Yakin again had an opportunity to double Switzerland's lead but his sizzling shot was well saved by Togo keeper Kossi Agassa.

Barnetta finally made sure of Switzerland's win with two minutes left, latching on to a ball on the right of the Togo box and lashing in a low, accurate drive into the far corner.

Switzerland now need just a draw from their final game against second-placed South Korea to secure first place in the group.

The result also puts France in the precarious position of having to beat Togo in their final game to have any hope of qualification.