There always seems to be a match at a major international tournament that is remembered for the quality of the goals scored, and this was the Euro 2020 contribution in Baku on Sunday.
Switzerland were comfortable 3-1 winners and knocked out everyone’s dark horses before the tournament in the group stage with a total of zero points and one goal.
Each goal was straight from the top box, with Haris Seferovic opening the scoring early with a low shot over Ugurcan Cakir from the edge of the box. Xherdan Shaqiri then doubled the Swiss lead with a mark and bent a long-range strike in the upper corner.
Irfan Kahveci sent his own astonishing meandering and dipping past Yann Sommer just after the hour mark to reduce the deficit, before Shaqiri doubled up five minutes later with an excellent first goal in the net during the break from a low Steven Zuber pass – a strike that effectively killed the game and Turkey’s chances at Euro 2020.
Take a bow Xherdan Shaqiri? ⚽ # SUITUR | #ITVFotboll | # Euro2020 pic.twitter.com/bqUh2MrO7J
– ITV Football (@itvfootball) June 20, 2021
Here are your player ratings from the capital of Azerbaijan …
Manuel Ajanji carries the ball out from the back / VALENTYN OGIRENKO / Getty Images
Yann Sommer (GK) – 7/10 – Rarely tested but made a nice first half from Mert Muldur. Denied the same man again after a maze.
Nico Elvedi (CB) – 7/10 – Barely tested but the Gladbach man was authoritarian on the back.
Manuel Akanji (CB) – 7/10 – Some loose passes and tested by Turkey’s long balls, but a comfortable game overall.
Ricardo Rodriguez (CB) – 6/10 – Did not have to do too much, but was well beaten by Kahveci for his goal.
Zuber excelled for Swiss / Anadolu Agency / Getty Images
Silvan Widmer (RWB) – 6/10 – Did not see much of the ball, but did not put a foot wrong when he did. Sometimes tested by Muldur.
Remo Freuler (CM) – 7/10 – Nice and kept the ball in motion together with his combative midfield partner.
Granit Xhaka (CM) – 8/10 – Imperious in the middle of the park, dictating games and breaking up Turkish attacks. Dunked the post with a low free kick late and was then booked for a loud penalty appeal.
Steven Zuber (LWB) – 9/10 – Assisted all three goals. Given plenty of freedom to move forward, with Turkey’s blunt attack not causing him to go the other way. Wasted two chances early in the second period, partly down to one foot. Produced a wonderful assist with the left to Shaqiri’s second.
Xherdan Shaqiri (AM) – 9/10 – Turned back for his country and curled home a lovely effort from the edge of the box to double the lead. Was a constant threat and produced a wonderful first time in goal online to make it 3-1.
Seferovic scored a nice goal / Marcio Machado / Getty Images
Haris Seferovic (ST) – 8/10 – Turned brilliantly to fire a low left foot shot over the goalkeeper from the edge of the penalty area to open the scoring early.
Breel Embolo (ST) – 7/10 – Was often the link between the front line and the midfield with his running and connection, and used his physical well. Saw a nice effort tipped wide in the second half.
Mario Gavranovic – N / A
Ruben Vargas – Not applicable
Loris Benito – N / A
Admir Mehmedi – Not applicable
Cakir was disappointed with his defenders / VALENTYN OGIRENKO / Getty Images
Ugurcan Cakir (GK) – 7/10 – Nothing he could do about any of the goals in the first half. Tipped an Embolo attempt around the post after half time. Made another good stop from Seferovic on the hour mark and again just a few minutes later. Some great saves overall, but disappointed by them in front of him.
Zeki Celik (RB) – 4/10 – Could not handle Zuber on the left. Booked.
Merih Demiral (CB) – 5/10 – Gave Seferovic way too much time to turn around and shoot after the opener. Nowhere to be seen for the third.
Caglar Soyuncu (CB) – 5/10 – Strange that such a solid midfield partnership on paper has fought so badly. All at sea for Switzerland third. Booked.
Mert Muldur (LB) – 6/10 – One of the few bright sparks for Turkey. Marauded forward at will and was almost rewarded after a labyrinthine first half, but his shot was saved.
A moment of brilliance from İrfan Can Kahveci when #TUR pulls one back! ? ⚽
This will be some welcome news for #WAL fans … # SUITUR | #ITVFotboll | # EURO2020 pic.twitter.com/uHJkICEy0y
– ITV Football (@itvfootball) June 20, 2021
Kaan Ayhan (DM) – 5/10 – Allocated Shaqiri far too much space on the edge of the box for the Swiss other. Take off after half time.
Cengiz Under (RM) – 6/10 – One of those wingers who tries hard, but never really has the conviction in his end product. Faded out of the game. Thwacked one just over late before it subbed.
Ozan Tufan (CM) – 4/10 – Bizarrely does not look enough for this level … Completely lost the midfield battle to Freuler and Xhaka. Inevitably avoided after the break.
Irfan Kahveci (CM) – 6/10 – Did absolutely nothing before I made a strap shortly after the hour mark and bent home from the edge of the box. Subbed a little later.
Hakan Calhanoglu (LM) – 5/10 – Anonymous again in the first half – not good enough as Turkey’s star man. Played more centrally in the second but it made no odds. Booked.
That’s probably the last we’ll see Yilmaz at an international tournament / Tolga Bozoglu – Pool / Getty Images
Burak Yilmaz (ST) – 5/10 – Looked isolated at the top, with none of the midfield close enough to him. Headed half a chance over in the second half but that was it.
Yusuf Yazici – N / A
Okay Yokuslu – N / A
Kenan Karaman – N / A
Orkun Kokcu – N / A
