Match Analysis: Honduras 0-3 Switzerland

Switzerland moved safely into the second round of the World Cup courtesy of a Xherdan Shaqiri hat-trick in a 3-0 win over Honduras on Wednesday night.

He got the proceedings off to a flying start with a 25-yard screamer after just six minutes, and rounded off a fine counter-attack midway through the half for 2-0.

In the second half Shaqiri combined again with Josip Drmic to complete his hat-trick, as Switzerland qualified for the second round with Ecuador only managing a draw against France.

Here, Sports Mole takes a closer look at the action.

Match statistics

HONDURAS Shots: 13 On target: 6 Possession: 61% Corners: 8 Fouls: 17

SWITZERLAND Shots: 16 On target: 13 Possession: 39% Corners: 1 Fouls: 18

Was the result fair?

Honduras played well in the second half, once the result was already not in doubt, but few can argue that Switzerland deserved the win although the third goal did add some gloss. It was an interesting tactic from Switzerland to allow Honduras to have the ball in the humid conditions, and it is safe to say that Ottmar Hitzfeld got it bang on. Shaqiri is the sort of player who can make a difference and with him on the field the win for Switzerland never looked in doubt.

Honduras's performance

They were in the unfamiliar position of being allowed to have the ball in midfield, rather than being forced to put long balls in to the two strikers. Their passing in such positions was never threatening enough to cause much problem for the Swiss defence, and they gave the ball away far too often to ever really be in the match. That said, they were better after Luis Fernando Suarez made some changes, but by then it was too little, too late.

Switzerland's performance

Tactically Hitzfeld got things right on Wednesday night. The conditions were not suitable for playing free-flowing, expansive football, so he allowed Honduras to have the ball, which they did not do a lot with. Instead, the Swiss remained tight at the back without exuding too much energy, and were swift when the time came to attack. Goals two and three showed how quickly they can score, with the ball going from defence to the Honduras net in a matter of seconds on both occasions.

Sports Mole's man of the match

Xherdan Shaqiri: The man to make all the difference in the match. He got the proceedings off to a flyer with a superb strike in the sixth minute and he was at the heart of everything the Swiss did in attack. He linked brilliantly with the frontman Drmic and showed a lot of composure for goals two and three. If Switzerland are to go further then Shaqiri will have played a big part.

Biggest gaffe

This has to go to Johan Djourou for a clumsy foul on Jerry Palacios at 2-0 in the second half, although he got away with his clatter from behind in the box. On any other day it would have been a penalty and would have created a nervous end to the game for Switzerland. He cannot afford to defend like that against stronger teams.

Referee performance

Nestor Pitana might have done something earlier on about some of the over-zealous tackles that were flying in, but because he did not give bookings early on the players somewhat took advantage. He also missed a clear foul from Djourou on Jerry Palacios in the box in the second half to cap off an average performance for the Argentine referee.

What next?

Honduras: They will go home, but they have not been disgraced in this World Cup. They are just not good enough to compete with the world's best but have been perhaps unfortunate not to earn a point form somewhere.

Switzerland: The Swiss go through as Group E runners-up and will face the unenviable task of taking on Lionel Messi and Argentina. They will need to be at their best.