Switzerland’s Xherdan Shaqiri erased his side’s lingering World Cup pain in Manaus today, scoring a hat-trick to see off Honduras 3-0 and secure a daunting last-16 tie against Lionel Messi’s Argentina.
Four years ago the Central Americans denied Switzerland a place in the knockout rounds by holding out for a 0-0 draw but two first-half goals from the impressive Bayern Munich player gave Honduras a mountain to climb.
Coach Luis Suarez’s team fought hard to get back into the game even though they had no chance of progressing but a third goal from the talented Swiss midfielder killed their hopes.
