<p>Switzerland's Xherdan Shaqiri erased his side's lingering World Cup pain in Manaus on Wednesday, scoring a hat-trick to see off Honduras 3-0 and secure a daunting last-16 tie against Lionel Messi's Argentina.<br /><br /></p>.<p>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.<br /><br />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 midfielder killed their hopes.<br /><br />Ottmar Hitzfeld's team, sixth in the FIFA rankings, came into the game level on points with Ecuador in Group E, three points off leaders France, knowing a victory would likely see them progress.<br /><br />They went close to scoring with their first attack of the game, when young forward Josip Drmic burst forward and centred for Shaqiri but goalkeepr Noel Valladares blocked his shot.<br /><br />In just the sixth minute Bayern Munich midfielder Shaqiri found the target with an unstoppable left-footed strike from just outside the area that flew past a helpless Valladares and into the top corner.<br /><br />Honduras, who came into game on the back of two defeats, enjoyed long spells of possession but did not threaten Diego Benaglio's goal and just after the half-hour the Swiss doubled their lead following a swift counter-attack.<br /><br />Victor Bernardez made a mistake in midfield and Drmic raced forward before playing in Shaqiri, who kept his composure with just the goalkeeper to beat, slotting the ball to his left.<br />He became the first Swiss player to score multiple goals in a World Cup match since 1954. <br /><br />Honduras came out of the blocks impressively after the half-time break and Jerry Bengtson nearly pulled one back with an attempt at a diving header but failed to make contact.<br /><br />Swiss defender Ricardo Rodriguez was then forced into a goal-line clearance after Bengtson beat the Swiss keeper and about 15 minutes later Fabian Schaer also had to clear off the line.<br /><br />But Switzerland killed the game 20 minutes from time. Drmic, enjoying his role on the left, beat Bernardez and again found Shaqiri, who was unerring in his finish.<br /><br />Despite their lofty current ranking the Swiss, playing their 10th World Cup finals, last reached the quarter-finals in 1954 when the tournament was held on home soil.<br /><br />They will meet Argentina in Sao Paulo on Tuesday while France, who topped the group after a 0-0 draw with Ecuador, will play Nigeria in Brasilia the previous day.</p>
<p>Switzerland's Xherdan Shaqiri erased his side's lingering World Cup pain in Manaus on Wednesday, scoring a hat-trick to see off Honduras 3-0 and secure a daunting last-16 tie against Lionel Messi's Argentina.<br /><br /></p>.<p>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.<br /><br />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 midfielder killed their hopes.<br /><br />Ottmar Hitzfeld's team, sixth in the FIFA rankings, came into the game level on points with Ecuador in Group E, three points off leaders France, knowing a victory would likely see them progress.<br /><br />They went close to scoring with their first attack of the game, when young forward Josip Drmic burst forward and centred for Shaqiri but goalkeepr Noel Valladares blocked his shot.<br /><br />In just the sixth minute Bayern Munich midfielder Shaqiri found the target with an unstoppable left-footed strike from just outside the area that flew past a helpless Valladares and into the top corner.<br /><br />Honduras, who came into game on the back of two defeats, enjoyed long spells of possession but did not threaten Diego Benaglio's goal and just after the half-hour the Swiss doubled their lead following a swift counter-attack.<br /><br />Victor Bernardez made a mistake in midfield and Drmic raced forward before playing in Shaqiri, who kept his composure with just the goalkeeper to beat, slotting the ball to his left.<br />He became the first Swiss player to score multiple goals in a World Cup match since 1954. <br /><br />Honduras came out of the blocks impressively after the half-time break and Jerry Bengtson nearly pulled one back with an attempt at a diving header but failed to make contact.<br /><br />Swiss defender Ricardo Rodriguez was then forced into a goal-line clearance after Bengtson beat the Swiss keeper and about 15 minutes later Fabian Schaer also had to clear off the line.<br /><br />But Switzerland killed the game 20 minutes from time. Drmic, enjoying his role on the left, beat Bernardez and again found Shaqiri, who was unerring in his finish.<br /><br />Despite their lofty current ranking the Swiss, playing their 10th World Cup finals, last reached the quarter-finals in 1954 when the tournament was held on home soil.<br /><br />They will meet Argentina in Sao Paulo on Tuesday while France, who topped the group after a 0-0 draw with Ecuador, will play Nigeria in Brasilia the previous day.</p>