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Shaqiri hat-trick steers Swiss into last 16
Reuters
Last Updated IST
Switzerland's Xherdan Shaqiri, left, celebrates with teammate Josip Drmic, as Honduras' goalkeeper Noel Valladares sits, after scoring his side's third goal during the group E World Cup soccer match between Honduras and Switzerland at the Arena da Amazonia in Manaus, Brazil, Wednesday, June 25, 2014. AP Photo
Switzerland's Xherdan Shaqiri, left, celebrates with teammate Josip Drmic, as Honduras' goalkeeper Noel Valladares sits, after scoring his side's third goal during the group E World Cup soccer match between Honduras and Switzerland at the Arena da Amazonia in Manaus, Brazil, Wednesday, June 25, 2014. AP Photo

 Xherdan Shaqiri netted a hat-trick as Switzerland beat Honduras 3-0 in Manaus on Wednesday to secure the runners-up spot in World Cup Group E and a last 16 clash against Argentina.

The Swiss went ahead after six minutes when Shaqiri held off left back Juan Carlos Garcia and unleashed a curling strike from outside the box past Honduran goalkeeper Noel Valladares.

He made it 2-0 in the 31st minute after being put clean through on goal by Josip Drmic, and the pair combined again in the 71st minute as Shaqiri completed his hat-trick.

France drew 0-0 with Ecuador to top the group and will play Nigeria in the last 16, while the Swiss play Group F winners Argentina.

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(Published 26 June 2014, 03:36 IST)