The international break may be over but the echoes of the thrilling games still persist. One of the biggest stories was Italy’s failure to qualify directly after being held by lowly Northern Ireland. The Irish have helped Switzerland in the process – and now they’ve got their reward!We kept our word, @NorthernIreland 😉 A sweet Thank You is on its way! #sweetcaroline #sweetchocolate🇨🇭🍫 @ChocolatCailler #natimiteuch #lanatiavecvous #lanaticonvoi pic.twitter.com/fAPUuHmrTf— 🇨🇭 Nati (@nati_sfv_asf) November 24, 2021 Switzerland national team coach Murat Yakin promised the Irish a sweet reward if they should prevent Italy from taking three points in Belfast. And even though Ian Baraclough’s men had already lost all chances for qualifying – they played out of their skin and held the reigning European champions to a goalless draw. Switzerland’s convincing win over Bulgaria was enough to leapfrog the Azzurri in the first place, book a place in Qatar next year and send Roberto Mancini, Lorenzo Insigne, Leonardo Bonucci and Co. to the playoffs.##NAJAVA_MECA_6001117##And the reward? Boy, it’s sweet! The Irish team will receive 9.3 kilograms of Swiss chocolate in recognition of preventing the European champions from scoring for 93 minutes.Switzerland had previously promised a gift after initially paying tribute in their post-match celebrations at the team hotel in Lucerne, where they sang Sweet Caroline, the 1969 Neil Diamond hit that has become a staple song at Northern Ireland matches.It was just the first one😉 The second present you will receive is sweet too. Not Caroline but our chocolate🍫❤️🇨🇭 https://t.co/AcfXxGJF4t— 🇨🇭 Nati (@nati_sfv_asf) November 18, 2021 Northern Ireland aren’t going to the 2022 World Cup, but at least they’ll get to enjoy some of the finest chocolate you can get. Football can be pretty sweet sometimes – even if you don’t score a goal.
