Shaqiri Shines As Switzerland Keeps Euro 2020 Hopes Alive
Switzerland face an anxious wait to see if they will make Euro 2020’s last 16 after Xherdan Shaqiri’s superb double helped them secure third place in Group A with a 3-1 win against Turkey, who were sent packing after another defeat.
Turkey started the brighter side full of fire and fury, only to collapse quickly as Switzerland took the lead. Haris Seferovic received a pass from Steven Zuber on the edge of the area, before firing the ball into the bottom right corner in the sixth minute.
Turkey regrouped and tried again, only to go 2-0 down 20 minutes later when Zuber found Shaqiri in a similar position, and he curled an exquisite shot beyond the despairing dive of Ugurcan Cakir.
Turkey had their chances, but Swiss keeper Yann Sommer made a string of superb first-half saves as they searched for their first goal of the tournament.
Irfan Kahveci finally delivered it, salvaging some pride for the Turks in the 62nd minute with a spectacular strike from distance to reduce the deficit.
Whatever joy their thousands of supporters in the stands felt was short-lived as their shortcomings were shown up again six minutes later as Shaqiri fired home another Zuber pass to complete a surging counter-attack.
The match finished 3-1 as Switzerland overcame Turkey. The Swiss, who finished level on four points with Wales but behind on goal difference, will hope to secure a spot in the knockout round as one of the four best third-placed finishers from the six groups.
“I think we played like a unit, and it was crucial today against this team,” Shaqiri said in an interview after the match. “We knew if we play good we’re going to create a lot of chances against this team, and we did so.”
Turkey, who finished fourth with three defeats, were tipped as pre-tournament dark horses but instead will head home after a disappointing campaign that saw them lose all three games, conceding eight goals and scoring only once.
Euro 2020 results
Italy 1-0 Wales
Switzerland 3-1 Turkey
Chidi Nwoke/Reuters.
