Switzerland moved safely into the second round of the World Cup, courtesy of a Xherdan Shaqiri hat-trick in a 3-0 win over Honduras on Wednesday night.
He got the proceedings off to a flying start with a 25-yard screamer after just six minutes, and rounded off a fine counter-attack midway through the half for 2-0.
In the second half Shaqiri combined again with Josip Drmic to complete his hat-trick, as Switzerland qualified for the second round with Ecuador only managing a draw against France.
Read how the action unfolded below.
Hello all! Group E concludes tonight and there is still plenty to play for - well, for three of the teams in the group at least. Honduras, currently on zero points, can amazingly still get through, but they would need to beat Switzerland, see France beat Ecuador and have a swing of four goals from the two games. You never know, of course.
Switzerland's task is rather more simple, but has not been helped at all by their 5-2 defeat at the hands of almost certain group winners France in their last outing. They must better Ecuador's result against the French tonight - a draw is enough of Ecuador lose, but should the South Americans get a point then Switzerland must win. Goal-difference is a write-off for them, unless they lose, of course.
We do have live coverage of that game at the Maracana for you as well, so if you fancy keeping track of both matches in this still very active group, you can do so by following here. There are sure to be twists and turns with Switzerland and Ecuador battling for that qualification spot.
Right then, let's have a look at the teams for tonight, shall we?
HONDURAS XI: Valladares; Figueroa, Bernardez, Beckeles, J.Garcia; Palacios, Claros, B.Garcia, Espinoza; Bengtson, Costly
SWITZERLAND XI: Benaglio; Lichtsteiner, Schar, Djourou, Rodriguez; Inler, Xhaka, Behrami, Shaqiri; Mehmedi, Drmic
SUBSTITUTES:
Honduras: Lopez; Escober; O. Chavez; M. Chavez; Delgado; Garrido; Izaguirre; R. Martinez; M. Martinez; Montes; Najar; Claros
Switzerland: Sommer; Burki; Ziegler; Stocker; Senderos; Lang; Gavranovic; Fernandes; Dzemaili; Barnetta; Stocker
So Carlos Costly, who scored his side's first World Cup goal for 32 years with his strike against Ecuador in their last game, starts as you would probably expect. The main news from their point of view is that Wilson Palacios comes back from suspension to return to the midfield in place of Jorge Claros.
For Switzerland, Josip Drmic starts up front despite having disappointed somewhat so far. He has yet to hit his Nuremberg form, but now would really be the time to show it. Two players linked to Liverpool in the Premier League, Xherdan Shaqiri and Ricardo Rodriguez, start and are probably their key players tonight.
Rodriguez has an absolute bullet of a left boot, and is a strong-as-an-ox left-back - you could say just the position the Reds need to strengthen. Shaqiri is the poster-boy of the Swiss team, however, a role that he has at international level only as he is surrounded by Hollywood players at Bayern Munich. He has the tendency to drift in and out of games, but could well turn this one in his side's favour.
Aufstellung #HON gegen #SUI #HONSUI pic.twitter.com/fuLCHTMlpA
— SPORT1 (@SPORT1) June 25, 2014
There has certainly been only one winner in this group, and that has been Didier Deschamps's rejuvenated French side. The real battle is for second, with Switzerland having every chance thanks to their late, late win against Ecuador in the opening game. Ecuador might well have a chance against the French, with Deschamps having made a few changes, but if Switzerland get their part of the job done their neighbours will probably secure at least a point.
All the talk today has been about a certain Luis Suarez and his bite, but it is another - Luis Fernando Suarez - who has a big night ahead. If he can inspire his team to a win and France do a number on Ecuador then it could be Honduras who make the last 16. It's a massive ask, though, and he would certainly go down as a hero of Honduran football if he manages it.
Playing tomorrow on Center Court around 4pm @Wimbledon but first I am getting ready for Switzerland-Honduras all to play for! #nervous
— Roger Federer (@rogerfederer) June 25, 2014
As you can see from that tweet from Roger Federer, even if you have a Wimbledon match to prepare for you just cannot get away from the World Cup. It has been a fantastic one so far, and with nine goals from the two games so far we're hopefully in for another excellent day. There are certainly goals in both Group E games.
Looking at the two teams, it would have to go down as a surprise if Switzerland did not get the win that they really need today. Their attack, in particular, with Shaqiri feeding Drmic, should be too much for Honduras. With the surprises so far, however, you just cannot completely write off anyone.
PREDICTION: But what do I really think, I hear you ask? I've said you cannot rule out Honduras, but I can't see beyond a Switzerland win by at least two goals here. I think they'll win either 2-0 or 3-0, with France helping them out with at least a draw in the other game.
Here come the players then as we are just a few minutes away from kickoff. This is Hitzfeld's last act as a coach for retiring - he will want to extend it for another match at least, which a win will most likely do.
KICKOFF: The Central American side - with Costly chewing on plastic again - who get things underway for the final action of Group E.
CHANCES! Two good chances there for the Swiss. Palacios gave the ball away, with Drmic crossing low, first for Shaqiri whose shot is saved and then the rebound from Mehmedi is blocked. Good last-ditch defending, but awful from Palacios.
GOAL! Honduras 0-1 Switzerland (Xherdan Shaqiri)
Wow! Just wow! That is what Shaqiri is capable of. He cuts in from the right and fires an unstoppable shot from 25 yards into the net via the bar. My word there have been some good strikes so far and that is right up there with them.
Switzerland are in control of the possession so far, but are being closed down well by the Hondurans into their own half. They have come forward with Garcia crossing from the left, but he drives it into the side netting with teammates well placed.
They have put themselves about really well since conceding, Honduras. Bengtson has done a good job of dropping into midfield to link the play and he has won a free kick some 45 yards out.
Honduras have enjoyed probably their best spell of possession the whole tournament in the last few minutes, but are yet to work Diego Benaglio in the Swiss goal. Bengtson clips Behrami trying to win the ball back and another chance has gone.
Honduras are definitely not out of this one, and I've been impressed with their passing compared to their opening two games. Switzerland are a bit nervy and have dropped quite deep - they need to take control of the ball again.
Neither side has had a real chance since the goal, but there is only one time pressing at the moment. Garcia tries to cross from the left, but it is deflected behind for a corner. From it the right-back Beckeles shoots on the turn, but he slices it wide.
After the bright start it has been a little disappointing since. The Swiss are trying to conserve their energy, presumably, in the heat of Manaus, and they're doing a good enough job because the men in white have not yet got in behind.
More hefty tackling, this time Palacios clattered into his own man Claros. He's up not too long after, however, and as Honduras break Rodriguez flies in with a brilliant tackle on Bengtson.
Beckeles just about gets away with a dodgy backpass as Drmic fouls Bernardez as he tried to win the ball. They are prone to the odd rash pass and some of them could prove very costly. That's two really poor ones that they have got away with so far.
GOAL! Honduras 0-2 Switzerland (Xherdan Shaqiri)
Fantastic counter-attack there from Switzerland. Drmic peels off his man and is sent away, and he looks inside for Shaqiri, who takes a touch before placing past Valladares for 2-0. That's one foot in the next round now for the Swiss.
Espinoza is playing on the left for Honduras, but is involved with everything out there and in the centre. A poor pass just then to Costly, however, loses the ball in a dangerous position and the attack has been wasted.
Ambitious effort there from Bengtson, who put a shot well wide from some way out. That and Beckeles's shot earlier on are about the only two that they have had all game.
Costly is down for Honduras and he is limping off for treatment. Palacios is needing to help him off, though, and that could be his tournament over. He would be a big loss.
HONDURAS SUB: Indeed he cannot carry on, but there are now two Palacios brothers on the pitch now as Jerry Palacios joins the action.
Now Benaglio is hurt, and it was his teammate Lichtsteiner who he crashed into. After a short delay he is alright to continue and we get back underway.
CHANCE! Decent sight of goal there for Drmic, who is threaded through wide left by Shaqiri and cannot quite turn it past Valladares from the angle as the Honduras stopper makes the save.
Another shocking pass from Palacios this time straight to Shaqiri. He finds Xhaka, but Figueroa steps out of the defensive line to take it from him.
HALF-TIME: Honduras 0-2 Switzerland
Bayern's Shaqiri has torn apart Honduras here and they have had absolutely no answer to him. His first goal will without question be in the running for goal of the tournament. It was a superb strike.
It was a screamer from 25 yards as he was heading slightly away from goal, clipping it into the back of the net via the bar. The second goal was a really neat counter, finished off by the Bayern man after he was found brilliantly by Drmic.
In the other game in the group, which you can follow with us right here, it is 0-0 between Ecuador and France. Ecuador simply have to score in order to qualify and as it stands a 1-0, should this stay 2-0, would be enough. Lots to play for still.
Almost time for the second half then. As it stands France will win the group - in fact, anything but an Ecuador thrashing in the second half will see the French win it. The players are making their way back out now.
KICKOFF: The Swiss get things back underway. Marvin Chavez has come on for Espinoza at the break for Honduras.
Early half-chance for Inler. Shaqiri put a corner right into the danger area, with Djourou nodding it down. In the end it was partially cleared to Inler, who scuffed a shot wide from 20 yards.
Really good ball in from Palacios there from the left flank. Djourou loses his man, with Bengtson diving towards the ball but just missing it as it goes out of play.
UPDATE: Switzerland's chances have got even better. Over at the Maracana Antonio Valencia has been shown a straight red card against France.
OFF THE LINE! What a clearance from Rodriguez there, but what a good move from Honduras. Bengtson is put through, goes round the keeper but his shot is hacked away by the Swiss left-back.
Switzerland are back in control of the ball and MEhmedi is almost in behind from an angled through ball by Lichtsteiner, but he just failed to beat the offside trap - and miscontrolled it, anyway.
CHANCE! Good stop there from Valladares to deny Shaqiri a hat-trick. It was lovely football in the box between Shaqiri and Mehmedi, but after being flicked through the Bayern man's effort was saved by the face of the outstretched Valladares.
Honduras are furious at the referee as J Palacios goes down. He picked up the ball from his brother's pass and appeared to be clattered from behind by Djourou and that really does look to be a penalty.
Honduras have probably been the better team in the last five minutes or so, and should definitely have had a penalty. Chavez in particular has threatened with his pace and Lichtsteiner is having to defend.
BOOKING: Jerry Palacios goes into the book for a strong tackle in midfield. Aside from that, he has done well so far.
Honduras have really thrown everything at the cause tonight, but they just lack that quality in the final third that Switzerland have in Shaqiri. Speaking of the Bayern man, a shot from 20 yards is blocked at close quarters by Figueroa.
GOAL! Honduras 0-3 Switzerland (Xherdan Shaqiri)
Simple as you like! Rodriguez fires a 60-yard pass forward for Drmic, who completely skins Bernardez with a brilliant stepover, before cutting back to Shaqiri for his hat-trick. That's three really good goals from them today.
SWITZERLAND SUB: Off comes Drmic, who has been fantastic today. Haris Seferovic, the matchwinner against Ecuador, is on for him.
SUBS: Granit Xhaka off for Michael Lang, while B Garcia makes way for Andy Najar.
SAVE! Big stop there from Benaglio! Bengtson is through to see the whites of the keeper's eyes, but Benaglio makes a really brave stop to get it wide for a corner. He really should have scored, mind you.
So unless 10-man Ecuador can get two late goals against France in the Maracana Switzerland will make the second round tonight. Hitzfeld's managerial career will go on for one game longer at least. Inler tries his luck from range, but Valladares gathers it on the bounce.
The offside flag goes up against Rodriguez as Switzerland try to work a move, but overplay it in the end. Final change for the Swiss, as Shaqiri makes way to a standing ovation with Blerim Dzemaili on for him.
Honduras seeing plenty of the ball to end the game, but they just cannot break down this Swiss defence. When they have, Benaglio has been there.
There will be three minutes of stoppage time to play. Switzerland will then be interested in the result in the Maracana, but they need not worry, it's still 0-0.
FULL-TIME: Honduras 0-3 Switzerland
SWITZERLAND QUALIFY FOR SECOND ROUND!
So Switzerland have done more than enough here to go through behind France in Group E. Thanks for joining me for this one, and please do stick around for analysis and player ratings from tonight's World Cup clashes. Goodbye.
Written by
Matt Domm
Matt Domm
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