Xherdan Shaqiri, dubbed ‘the Messi of the Alps’ thanks to his World Cup hat-trick, hopes to conquer new peaks when Switzerland faces Argentina in Tuesday’s last 16 clash.
Shaqiri lived up to his flattering nickname with a hat-trick in his team’s 3-0 romp against Honduras in their final group match to set up Tuesday’s last 16 clash in Sao Paulo against Lionel Messi and Argentina.
“It’s a dream tie for us, little Switzerland is facing a big challenge,” said the 22-year-old as Swiss newspaper Blick proudly boasted “We have our own Messi. We have achieved something big as little Switzerland, I am proud of my three goals. Anything is possible now in the last 16.”
Switzerland have never beaten Argentina in six previous attempts and are also bidding to reach the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time in 60 years.
Shaqiri proved his form with a hat-trick in their final group match to set up Tuesday’s last 16 dream clash.