World Cup

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Attendance: 40,322

World Cup | Group Stage

Jun 25, 2014 at 9pm UK

Honduras Honduras
0-3
Switzerland Switzerland

FT(HT: 0-2)

Shaqiri (6', 31', 71')

Half-Time Report: Switzerland on verge of World Cup second-round qualification

By Giuseppe Labellarte, Reporter | 25 June 2014

Switzerland are on the verge of qualifying for the knockout stages of the World Cup after establishing a 2-0 half-time lead against Honduras in Manaus.

Switzerland are on the verge of qualifying for the knockout stages of the World Cup after establishing a 2-0 half-time lead against Honduras in Manaus.

After just two minutes played, Josip Drmic split the Honduran defence and sent a low ball to Xherdan Shaqiri, whose shot was smothered.

Switzerland's midfielder Xherdan Shaqiri celebrates with forward Josip Drmic (L) after scoring his team's second goal during the Group E football match between Honduras and Switzerland at the Amazonia Arena in Manaus during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June © Getty Images

It didn't take long for the Nati to break the deadlock, however, and on the five-minute mark, Shaqiri was allowed space on the edge of the opposition box and unleashed a powerful drive into the top corner to put his side a goal up.

Both sides continued to trade chances throughout the first half, Shaqiri blasting another long-range effort wide before Brayan Beckeles had a chance of his own on the turn, but also missed the target.

As Switzerland began sitting deeper as the game went on, a swift counter-attack helped Ottmar Hitzfeld's side double their lead.

Gokhan Inler sent a long pass to Drmic down the left flank on the half-hour mark, and he subsequently found Shaqiri, who rifled the ball home for his second goal of the match.