- Philip Morrissey
- Mon, Jun 21 2021
Two goals from Xherdan Shaqiri helped Switzerland to their first win in Group A in a much-improved performance from their opening two games.
It has been a dreadful campaign for the so called ‘dark horses’ though – Turkey.
The Turks scored just one goal in the entire campaign and succumbed to three successive defeats for the first time in over ten years.
They knew that nothing but a victory could have saved them from elimination and started off in determined fashion.
Burak Yilmaz had a shot that was deflected over the top over the bar, before Ozan Tufan went close and Kaan Ayhan forced Yann Sommer into an excellent save in the early moments.
But, it was the Swiss who went in front. Haris Seferovic was given time by the Turkish defence to steady himself and plant a low drive from outside the area.
It flew into the bottom corner and past the reach of Ugurcan Cakir. He became only the third Swiss player to score at the Euros.
Mert Muldur was doing his best to get forward from his area to level the game, and forced Sommer into another great save as his shot went towards the top corner.
Ozan Tufan then fired over from distance after being set up by Hakan Calhonoglu.
However, the Swiss went further in front. Shaqiri who had been criticised for lacklustre showings so far demonstrated his quality.
Switzerland managed to keep hold of the ball in the Turkish area before it arrived at his feet. He took the opportunity to look up and plant a gorgeous curling effort into the top left-hand corner.
Moments later he could have made it three but for a strong save from Cakir as he burst clear.
Sommer was having a stirring performance and denied Muldur yet again with a full-length stretch. He was left frustrated yet again moments later.
He embarked on a solo run from his own area through the Swiss defence. His drive was palmed away in the end.
Switzerland knew that more goals could see them overtaking Wales into second. The second half begun with Seferovic setting up Zubar to shoot at Cakir.
The same player was then set up by Shaqiri, but failed to trouble the keeper. He was busier with an effort by Embolo which was heading towards the top corner.
He was certainly doing his best to keep them in the game. Another firm stop from Seferovic followed not long afterwards.
Turkey then got back into the game. Irfan Kahveci beat his marker on the edge of the area before unleashing a wonderful drive beyond the reach of Sommer.
The Swiss were not finished though. Zubar led a breakaway before angling a pass through the defence. Shaqiri was the supporting player and confidently swept it past Cakir.
Granit Xhaka hit the post from a free-kick as the game entered it final stages. Yilmaz wasted a chance from a corner before Sommer halted Muldur once again.
No further goals and the game ended with celebration for the Swiss.
They must wait now to see if this is enough to progress to the knock-out stage. For Turkey, it is time to go home and face the inevitable questions.
Turkey: Ugurcan Cakir, Zeki Celik, Merih Demiral, Caglar Soyuncu, Mert Muldur, Kaan Ayhan (Okay Yokuslu 63), Cengiz Under (Kenan Karaman 80), Ozan Tofan (Yusuf Yazici 63), Irfan Kahveci (Orkun Kokcu 80), Hakan Calhanoglu (Dorukhan Tokoz 86), Burak Yilmaz.
Subs not used: Fehmi Gunok, Altay Bayindir, Taylan Antalyali, Ozan Tabak, Enes Unal, Ridvan Yilmaz, Halil Dervisoglu.
Booked: Hakan Calhanoglu (70), Zeki Celik (76), Caglar Soyuncu (76).
Switzerland: Yann Sommer; Nico Elvedi, Manuel Akanji, Ricardo Rodriguez, Silvan Widmar (Kevn Mbabu 92), Remo Freuler; Granit Xhaka, Steven Zubar (Loris Benito 85), Xherdan Shaqiri (Ruben Vargas 76); Haris Seferovic (Mario Gavronovic 75), Breel Embolo (Admir Mehmedi 86).
Subs not used: Denis Zakaria, Yvon Mvogo, Dijbril Sow, Christian Fassnacht, Gregor Kobel, Fabian Schar, Eray Comert.
Booked: Granit Xhaka (78).
Referee: Slavko Vincic.
Attendance: 17,138.
ExtraTime.ie Player of the Match: Xherdan Shaqiri (Switzerland).
