Shaqiri shines as Swiss beat Turkey to close in on last 16

Euro 2020: Xherdan Shaqiri scores two goals as Switzerland beat Turkey 3-1 to boost their hopes of qualifying for last 16 as best third-place team

Xherdan Shaqiri's double keeps Swiss hopes alive. (Photo credit: Uefa.com)

Xherdan Shaqiri scored two goals as Switzerland send Turkey packing after a 4-1 mauling, the win boosted Switzerland's chances of qualifying for the Euro 2020 last 16 as one of the best third-place teams.

Turkey were lively at the start of the game in Baku but conceded after six minutes to Switzerland's first attack of the game.

Haris Seferovic took possession of the ball on the edge of the box with his back to goal and found the inside of the far post with a low shot that went through Merit Demiral's legs.

Turkey's hopes were already shaky. On the 26th minute Shaqiri, scorer of the goal of the tournament at EURO 2016, struck from long range to add another beauty to his collection.

Switzerland were clinical and took their chances, Turkey fought back but the Switzerland goalkeeper Yann Sommer pulled off some saves to keep their lead.

With all hopes gone for Turkey, Uğurcan Çakır also showed his brilliance with some saves, he denied Shaqiri in a one-on-one situation.

Turkey found a goal afterwards, Irfan Can Kahveci's fine strike reduced their deficit to 2-1.

But Shaqiri had other ideas, Steven Zuber who was on a hat-trick of assists found the Liverpool midfielder with a cross for him to slot home.

Granit Xhaka hit the post with a free-kick as Switzerland went all out to score more goals to overtake Wales for the second place, but they must now wait to see if they are confirmed as one of the best third-placed teams.

👀 How Group A finished... #EURO2020
— UEFA EURO 2020 (@EURO2020) June 20, 2021

What the managers and players said

Vladimir Petković, Switzerland coach: "I'm very pleased. We showed as a team what we're capable of. The team did what they needed to. I felt we produced a good performance over 90 minutes. The aim for us remains to qualify for the last 16. Now we have to wait and see."

Şenol Güneş, Turkey coach: "We weren't good enough throughout the tournament. The first match had such a negative effect on my players. That can happen. But those players will play for Turkey for many years and they will succeed like they have before."

Xherdan Shaqiri, Switzerland midfielder: "We had to win and we played a good game. Of course there were one or two chances that we missed and maybe we could have scored one or two more goals, but it was a crucial performance from us and we're happy with the result."

🔥 Two-goal hero Xherdan Shaqiri named Star of the Match! ⚽️⚽️

🤔 Did you predict that? @Heineken | #EUROSOTM | #EURO2020 pic.twitter.com/exxPVLYS4c
— UEFA EURO 2020 (@EURO2020) June 20, 2021