Xherdan Shaqiri scored Switzerland’s first World Cup hat-trick in 60 years to beat Honduras 3-0 and reach the Last 16.
Honduras were already out following two defeats, but Switzerland would go through as long as they improved upon Ecuador’s result against France in a tight Group E. That game in Rio de Janeiro ended goalless, so Switzerland will face Argentina on July 1.
Xherdan Shaqiri scored Switzerland’s first World Cup hat-trick in 60 years to beat Honduras 3-0 and reach the Last 16.
Honduras were already out following two defeats, but Switzerland would go through as long as they improved upon Ecuador’s result against France in a tight Group E. That game in Rio de Janeiro ended goalless, so Switzerland will face Argentina on July 1.
Fabian Schaer stepped in for the injured Steve Von Bergen, while Honduras welcomed back Wilson Palacios from his ban.
The first Swiss chance came within a couple of minutes, as first Josip Drmic and then Shaqiri had shots charged down from point-blank range.
It was only a warning, as Xherdan Shaqiri curled a sensational strike into the top corner to give Switzerland the lead.
Beckeles threatened an equaliser for Honduras, but fired off target when turning in the box on a corner.
However, the Europeans doubled their lead with a classic counter-attack, as Shaqiri ran on to a Drmic assist and flashed the shot across the goalkeeper.
Carlo Costly limped off with a thigh injury, making way for Wilson Palacios’ brother Jerry. After the restart Bengtson saw a free header charged down by Djourou, then thought he had scored when going round goalkeeper Benaglio, but Rodriguez came sprinting back for a decisive goalline clearance.
Drmic was sent through by Shaqiri, but goalkeeper Valladares bravely rushed off his line to charge down the finish with his face.
Jerry Palacios had penalty appeals when Djourou appeared to push and tread on the back of his foot as he was pulling the trigger from 12 yards, but the referee waved play on.
Instead, Shaqiri became the first Swiss player to score a World Cup hat-trick since Josef Hugi against Austria in 1954. Drmic ran on to a long ball and skipped past his marker to lay it on a plate for Shaqiri.
Honduras didn’t give in and Benaglio stuck out a hand to keep out a soaring Bengtson header, but Mehmedi also fired straight at Valladares.
Honduras 0-3 Switzerland
Scorers: Shaqiri 6, 31, 70 (S)
Honduras: Valladares; Beckeles, Bernardez, Figueroa, J Garcia; B Garcia (Najar 77), W Palacios, Claros, Espinoza (M Chavez 46); Bengtson, Costly (J Palacios 39)
Switzerland: Benaglio; Lichtsteiner, Djourou, Schaer, Rodriguez; Inler, Behrami; Mehmedi, Xhaka (Lang 77), Shaqiri (Dzemaili 87); Drmic (Seferovic 75)
Ref: Pitana (ARG)