Turgeman also went close with an audacious long-range effort, from inside his own half, that forced Yann Sommer to scramble back and tip the ball over the bar. Israel, who looked much stronger after the break, might have equalised early in the second half when Dor Turgeman’s cross found Anan Khalaili but his header bounced back off the bar.

Vargas came within inches of doubling his tally five minutes after his goal when he thundered a shot off the crossbar. Vargas bundled in the rebound but was adjudged to have fouled defender Sean Goldberg in the process. Switzerland struck the woodwork twice in the match, first from Noah Okafor in the 19th minute. Weisman’s equaliser came after Fernandes failed to clear and the Swiss full-back’s woes were compounded when he was sent off in stoppage time for a clumsy foul. Switzerland looked on course for victory after Ruben Vargas headed home unmarked at the back post in the 36th minute after a searching cross from Edimilson Fernandes. Israel are third on 12 points with all three countries having two games left.

The unbeaten Swiss moved top of Group I, with 16 points from eight matches, but ahead of Romania only on goal difference.