A late Alessia Tuttino goal snatched Italy a 1-0 win at home to Switzerland in the first leg of their play-off

A late Alessia Tuttino goal snatched Italy a 1-0 win at home to Switzerland in the first leg of their play-off for a place at the FIFA Women’s World Cup Germany 2011

Despite playing at a numerical disadvantage following Rahel Graf’s 39th-minute dismissal, the Swiss appeared set to earn a draw that would have left them in the ascendancy to reach the global finals.

However, the 27-year-old midfielder struck in the 86th minute to mean Italy will qualify if they draw – or score in a single-goal defeat – in Aarau next Wednesday.

Italy are joint-11th on the FIFA/Coca-Cola Women’s World Ranking, while Switzerland are 26th. The two countries failed to qualify for the last FIFA Women’s World Cup in China PR.