Switzerland can continue to hope

Shaqiri and the Swiss deservedly defeated the Turks, who were frenetically cheered on by around 20.000 fans, 3-1 (2-0) in Baku on Sunday. Haris Seferovic gave the much-improved Switzerland the lead in the 6th minute before Shaqiri (26th/68th) scored twice. Irfan Can Kahveci (62nd) scored the first goal for Turkey at this European Championship, but could not prevent the 2008 semi-finalists from ending up bottom of the group with no points. The Swiss have 4 points and can still progress as one of the four best third-place teams in the group.

The Turks started the group final offensively. In contrast to the games against Italy (0:3) and Wales (0:2), the goal was consistently sought from the start. After just 4 minutes, Kaan Ayhan forced the Swiss goalkeeper Yann Sommer, who had become a father for the second time last Wednesday, to make his first brilliant save.

In the middle of the first pressure phase of coach Senol Günes' team, the Swiss's opening goal burst. Seferovic beat Ugurcan Çakir with a well-placed low shot and then enthusiastically celebrated his first ever European Championship goal. But Turkey didn't let this throw them off their rhythm and remained the more active team. With a diagonal shot from Mert Müldür (15th), Sommer had to stretch again to prevent a goal being conceded.

Yann Sommer played a strong game. © APA/afp / VALENTYN OGIRENKO

The Swiss were much more effective because they also had their second shot on goal. Shaqiri hit the corner with a wonderful shot from around 20 meters. Only 120 seconds later, the former Bayern professional had the decision in hand, but after fine preparatory work from Seferovic, he was denied by Cakir, who parried brilliantly. Afterwards, coach Vladimir Petkovic's team withdrew even further and largely left the initiative to the opponent. That almost took revenge, but Müldür failed three times in the first-class summer before the break.

The Swiss fans can hope for the round of 16. © APA/afp / OZAN KOSE

After the change, the Swiss became a little more agile again and could no longer be pushed back into their own half. Breel Embolo, Shaqiri and Seferovic missed good opportunities to make it 3-0. And suddenly the Turks struck: Kahveci took the measure from about 20 meters and gave Sommer no chance. Now there was real fire in the game, but the outcome only remained uncertain for a short time. Only 6 minutes after the connection it was Shaqiri who restored the old distance. Once again, the Turkish defense, which had only conceded three goals and kept eight clean sheets in the ten EURO qualifying games, was not up to par.

Inspired by the third strike, Switzerland controlled the game in the final phase. Granit Xhaka hit the post with a free kick. The Turks accepted the defeat and went home early as big tournament losers. Is that enough for third place? However, the Swiss failed to improve their goal account (now minus 1) with a view to the race for the four best third-place teams in the group. For example, a draw against Ukraine on Monday would be enough for Austria to stay third in Group C, at least ahead of Switzerland.

In the second game of the group, the Azzurri secured group victory with a 2-1 win against Wales. You can find the detailed match report here.

Switzerland – Türkiye 3:1 1:0 Seferovic (6th), 2:0 Shaqiri (26th), 2:1 Kahveci (62nd), 3:1 Shaqiri (68th)

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Switzerland can continue to hope

Double goalscorer Xherdan Shaqiri has fueled Switzerland's hopes of reaching the round of 16 at the European Football Championship and has finally knocked Turkey out of the tournament.

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