Liverpool star Xherdan Shaqiri steals the show as Switzerland secure a smashing 3-1 victory over Turkey on Sunday.
Switzerland salvage their UEFA Euro 2020 campaign with a vital 3-1 win over Turkey in the final group game on Sunday, in Baku. The win helps them move up to four points while Turkey head home after three back-to-back defeats in the tournament.
As the scoreline suggests, it was an entertaining watch as both sides created numerous scoring opportunities, combining over 40 attempts on goal. Switzerland were the dominant and clinical, finding their opener in the sixth minute through Haris Seferovic.
The early goal helped them impose their dominance on the proceedings. However, it still required a scintillating strike from Xherdan Shaqiri to double their lead, around the 26th-minute mark, as the Swiss secured a 2-0 lead heading into half-time.
It was pretty much a similar story after the restart, with Turkey failing to make the most of their chance. But an astounding effort from Irfan Can Kahveci gave Senol Gunes’ men hope, although the joy didn’t last long as Turkey conceded once again in the 68th minute via Shaqiri.
It turned out to be the final goal of an entertaining evening, and here, at The Hard Tackle, we will run the rule over both Switzerland and Turkey players in this final group A encounter in Baku this weekend.
Switzerland
Yann Sommer: 7.5/10
Yann Sommer saved absolutely everything that came in his way apart from the majestic striker from Kahveci in the second half. He was a key reason behind Switzerland’s win over Turkey.
Yann Sommer in goal ??#SuiTur #EURO2020 pic.twitter.com/9yhQ9al3NV
— Chris Gee / ◣ ◢ (@chrisgeeuk) June 20, 2021
Nico Elvedi: 6.5/10
Occupying Fabian Schar’s role on the right-hand side of the defence, Nico Elvedi had an average game against Turkey, notably getting completely beaten by Mert Muldur in the second half. Not the best of performances from the Gladbach centre-back.
Manuel Akanji: 7/10
Manuel Akanji used his aerial and physical prowess to good effect, getting rid of the balls that were meant for Burak Yilmaz. Couldn’t prevent the opposition from goalscoring opportunities, though.
Ricardo Rodriguez: 7.5/10
Ricardo Rodriguez was the pick of the Swiss defenders this evening, as the former Wolfsburg star made some excellent runs forward in the hybrid centre-back/full-back role. Offered significant defensive support as well, despite looking fragile, at times.
Silvan Widmer: 7/10
Silvan Widmer’s inclusion at right wing-back, ahead of Kevin Mbabu was a smart one from Vladimir Petkovic. The experienced full-back offered better defensive coverage to the Swiss backline, keeping Hakan Calhanoglu in his pocket.
Remo Freuler: 8/10
After being criticised for his performances in the first two matches, Remo Freuler provided an excellent shift in the middle of the park. He created multiple turnovers while driving forward in possession.
Granit Xhaka: 8.5/10
Granit Xhaka was the central figure behind Switzerland’s dominance in the proceedings. He controlled the play at ease, distributing the ball all around the park while also making useful runs forward whenever necessary. One of the best performers on the pitch.
Steven Zuber: 9/10
Steven Zuber was an absolute menace for the Turkish defence, due to his marauding runs forward. His link-up play in the final third was top-notch while the Eintracht Frankfurt star also created numerous goalscoring opportunities. He ended up bagging all three of the assists for Switzerland.
Only three players have assisted three goals in a single European Championships game:
?? Michael Laudrup (1984 vs. Yugoslavia)
?? Rui Costa (2000 vs. England)
?? Steven Zuber (2020 vs. Turkey)This is Zuber's first start of #EURO2020. ? pic.twitter.com/SnXzs0xAby
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) June 20, 2021
Haris Seferovic: 7/10
Haris Seferovic had an excellent start to the game, scoring within the first six minutes. It gave him the confidence to become more useful in the final third, although the experienced centre-forward wasn’t the main threat for the opposition.
Breel Embolo: 7.5/10
Breel Embolo wasn’t as useful as he was in the opening game against Wales. However, the Gladbach forward dropped back whenever it was necessary, linking the play up. He should have been much more clinical in front of goal, though.
Xherdan Shaqiri: 9/10
Xherdan Shaqiri was arguably the best performer on the pitch, producing a monstrous display. He led the attack with aplomb, getting in good positions as well as linking up well with teammates. Also scored a majestic goal to extend Switzerland’s lead before scoring another in the second half. He is truly earning legendary status in Swiss football.
Players who have scored at the 2014 World Cup, Euro 2016, 2018 World Cup and #Euro2020:
?? Cristiano Ronaldo
?? Ivan Perisic
?? Romelu Lukaku
??Xherdan ShaqiriIs it even a major tournament if Shaqiri doesn’t score a worldie? ? pic.twitter.com/XcwJ37elNN
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) June 20, 2021
Substitutes
Mario Gavranovic: N/A
A late replacement for Seferovic. Didn’t play enough to warrant a rating.
Ruben Vargas: N/A
A late replacement for Shaqiri. Didn’t play enough to warrant a rating.
Loris Benito: N/A
A late replacement for Zuber. Didn’t play enough to warrant a rating.
Admir Mehmedi: N/A
A late replacement for Embolo. Didn’t play enough to warrant a rating.
Kevin Mbabu: N/A
A late replacement for Widmer. Didn’t play enough to warrant a rating.
Turkey
Ugurcan Cakir: 7/10
Ugurcan Cakir was arguably Turkey’s best player on the pitch. He made multiple saves throughout the course of the game and without him, the Turks would have conceded at least five or six goals.
Zeki Celik: 4/10
Zeki Celik had a disastrous game at right-back. A French champion with LOSC Lille this past season, he had a nightmare dealing with Frankfurt’s Zuber, allowing the attacker acres of spaces to run into, throughout the entirety of the ninety minutes.
Merih Demiral: 5/10
Merih Demiral’s return to the Turkish backline didn’t do any favours for Senol Gunes’ men. He looked weak defensively, especially when dealing with the attacking threat of Zuber and Embolo.
Turkey created 3.44(xG) and conceded 8.03(xG) at Euro 2020.#TUR #Euro2020 pic.twitter.com/oZ3yrkKfQn
— The xG Philosophy (@xGPhilosophy) June 20, 2021
Caglar Soyuncu: 6/10
Caglar Soyuncu made a few important defensive contributions to keep his team in the fight. However, the Swiss pressure was relentless, forcing the Leicester City centre-back to struggle.
Mert Muldur: 6.5/10
Mert Muldur was a real spark for the Turkish team going forward, making a couple of exquisite runs forward, even testing Sommer twice. His influence, though, faded after the restart, with the defender struggling to keep up with Shaqiri.
Kaan Ayhan: 4/10
Operating in the defensive midfield role, Kaan Ayhan didn’t offer any kind of protection at all for his side. He was overrun by the two Swiss midfielders in Xhaka and Freuler while Embolo also did well to drop deep, at times.
Cengiz Under: 6/10
Cengiz Under offered some bright sparks at times with his explosive runs from wider channels. Unfortunately, he was simply not consistent enough.
Ozan Tufan: 4/10
Ozan Tufan didn’t provide anything to the table, as the midfielder had to defend most of the time. His tactical positioning was dismal as well, allowing the opposition to find acres of space from the middle.
Irfan Can Kahveci: 6.5/10
Apart from a truly magical goal in the second half, Kahveci was also culpable for appearing way too lenient on the Swiss midfield. He was simply not competent enough to deal with the likes of Xhaka and Freuler.
Good news for #WAL…#TUR have one back against #SUI… and what a goal it is too by Irfan Can Kahveci!#SUITUR #EURO2020
?️ @itvfootballpic.twitter.com/4Ka3U5Kx8g
— The Athletic UK (@TheAthleticUK) June 20, 2021
Hakan Calhanoglu: 2/10
Hakan Calhanolgu was by far the worst performer for Turkey in this vital affair. The AC Milan playmaker didn’t offer any sort of creativity from the wider position and was anonymous for large portions of the game.
Burak Yilmaz: 4/10
It was yet another disappointing outing for Burak Yilmaz, who was bereft of service. His lack of mobility didn’t do his team any favours either, as it ultimately weakened their first line of press – almost making it non-existent.
Substitutes
Yusuf Yazici: 6/10
Yusuf Yazici tried his best to make things happen in the final third after coming on for Tufan around the hour mark. Unfortunately, his dynamism wasn’t enough to make a difference.
Okay Yokuslu: 6/10
Okay Yokuslu came on for Ayhan shortly after Kahveci’s goal. He offered more control in midfield, but still not good enough to help them dominate the proceedings.
Orkun Kokcu: N/A
A late replacement for Kahveci. Didn’t play enough to warrant a rating.
Kenan Karaman: N/A
A late replacement for Under. Didn’t play enough to warrant a rating.
Dorukhan Tokoz: N/A
A late replacement for Calhanoglu. Didn’t play enough to warrant a rating.
