Switzerland is through to the Round of 16, thanks to a hat trick scored by Bayern Munich’s Xherdan Shaqiri.
The 22 year old midfielder and Swiss media darling had been largely absent from the tournament thus far, failing to score in earlier matches against Ecuador or France.
However, he made up for lost time and netted all three goals in Group E’s final match against Honduras, in a do-or-die game that saw Switzerland to progress to the next round.
It’s no wonder the Helvetican is referred to as “the Alpine Messi.”
Known for his dimples and questionable selfies, Shaqiri topped everyone’s “Who to Watch Out For” World Cup lists but had not lived up to his potential—or hype—in Switzerland’s first two games of the 2014 World Cup.
Visually frustrated and often overzealous in his plays, Shaqiri looked like an over excited juvenile in Switzerland’s first two matches, as his best efforts were often off target shots that ended up wasting time, rather than testing the opponent.
Compared to veteran players like Juventus’ Stephan Lichtsteiner and Napoli’s Gokhan Inler, the beginning of the World Cup seemed to show just how amateur the young Shaqiri could be in an international tournament.
Now, do not be mistaken. Shaqiri is not a novice to high pressure games.
He was part of the Switzerland team that came runner up to Spain in the 2011 UEFA European Under-21 Championship; he played for FC Basel when the Swiss club knocked Manchester United out of the 2011 Champions League and assisted in both goals in the 2 – 1 final score; and he has consistently been a respectable player for his current club Bayern Munich, winners of the most recent Bundesliga title.
However, none of those tournaments or games compare to the pressure that comes with playing in the World Cup. While Shaqiri had been a surprise inclusion in the 2010 World Cup at the age of 18, he did not have the same burden of expectations —or a starting place — thrust upon him as he has in Brazil.
It took Shaqiri a few practice games in order to find his place on the world’s stage and now that he has, what a place he’s found!
Not only did he score three fantastically goals for La Nati, but he continued to strike and attack through the whole match. Shaqiri, who is known in domestic Europe for his speed and ball manipulation, did not once slow down or cease his plan of attack, until he was substituted in the 87th minute for Napoli’s Blerim Dzemaili.
If this Shaqiri shows up for the rest of the tournament, Switzerland could go far. The team is a harmonious mix of old guard veterans and youthful optimistic, exactly what is needed in a World Cup like this when where everything—and everything—can happen.
Cheeky naivety and old world tradition have been themes of the tournament so far and Switzerland has the ability to embody both. With a bit more reliance shifted onto Shaqiri now that he’s (hopefully) hit his stride, Switzerland will be able to match any up coming opponent.
Or, at least they better be able to.
The Alpine Messi is set to meet the Authentic Messi, as Switzerland play Argentina in the Round of 16. After which, one team will move onto the quarter-finals, while the other returns home, known for their mountain range beginning with the letter A.
