Xherdan Shaqiri scored a sublime goal in Switzerland’s 1-1 draw against Scotland to keep the Swiss on track to reach the Round of 16 stage of Euro 2024.
Manchester United’s Scott McTominay opened the scoring for Scotland but Shaqiri leveled the game at the 26-minute mark after he spotted Scottish goalkeeper Angus Gunn off his line and released a first-time shot into the top corner.
“If that chance falls to any other player in the Swiss team, it’s not a goal,” Scotland manager Steve Clarke said. “You knew when it was rolling towards Shaqiri it was destined for the back of the net. He’s a top, top player, so you don’t give top, top players that kind of chance.”
With this draw, Switzerland is placed comfortably in second position with 4 points while Scotland is third with one point.
Shaqiri Achieves Incredible Record
Shaqiri’s goal against Scotland helped him become the first player to score in his last six international tournaments, including three World Cups and European Championships. This run began all the back in the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
He scored a hat-trick against Honduras at the 2014 World Cup, a brilliant overhead kick against Poland at Euro 2016, a dramatic winner against Serbia at the 2018 World Cup, three times at Euro 2020 – two against Turkey and one against Spain and one against Serbia at the 2022 World Cup.
The Chicago Fire midfielder also became the first player playing for a North or South American club to score at the Euros.
Cristiano Ronaldo has also scored in his previous five international tournaments but has yet to score in this year’s Euros. If he does manage to hit the back of the net in Germany he will continue his streak of scoring in all of his major international tournaments since 2004 Euros.
Shaqiri’s history of scoring spectacular goals
Shaqiri is one of the most beloved sportspersons in Switzerland. His knack for scoring breathtaking goals has made him a fan favorite and often keeps the spectators on their toes. In 2014, he scored a long-range screamer against Honduras. Two years later, at the Euro 2016, the 32-year-old scored a sensational bicycle kick to level the game against Poland in the group game.
Now at the Euro 2024, a beautiful left-footed curler into the top corner against Scotland continues his goal-scoring run much to the delight of the fans worldwide.
Mohd Faisal Hakak is a sports author from Kashmir. He likes to keep tabs on the sporting world with a keen interest in football, motorsports, NBA, and other marquee sports. He is a science graduate from Islamia College Srinagar.
