Shaqiri hat-trick helps Switzerland into last 16

Xherdan Shaqiri scored a hat-trick as Switzerland recorded the victory they needed against Honduras to leapfrog Ecuador in Group E and reach the last 16 of the FIFA World Cup.

The result − coupled with Ecuador's 0-0 draw against section winners France − means outgoing coach Ottmar Hitzfeld can start planning for a knockout date with Argentina on Tuesday. Four years after these sides could not be separated in their final group game in South Africa, an outcome that eliminated both teams, Shaqiri ensured there would be no repeat with the 50th treble in World Cup finals history.

Having scored twice in the final nine minutes of their 5-2 loss to France, Switzerland were ahead early on in humid Manaus as they flew out of the traps. Shaqiri had already been denied by the legs of Noel Valladares, following Josip Drmic's ball from the right, by the time the bustling FC Bayern München player curled a sublime effort beyond the reach of the Honduras captain.

Receiving possession on the Switzerland right, the 22-year-old cut inside, held off the attentions of Juan García and bent a left-footed strike into the far corner. Honduras's plight was now desperate. Needing a win to stand any chance of progressing, the Central American selection upped the tempo, resulting in right-back Bryan Beckeles flashing a shot wide from Oscar García's corner.

Shaqiri doubled his and the Nati's tally just after the half-hour mark, finishing off a counterattack for his 11th international goal. Gökhan Inler's long pass out of defence reached Drmic on the left, whose ball infield was collected by Shaqiri. The No23 outpaced his pursuers before beating Valladares.

Jerry Bengtson had two efforts, one of which was cleared off the line by Ricardo Rodriguez, as Honduras started the second period with a purpose that was lacking in their first-half play. They continued to press, delivering some dangerous crosses, but their challenge was ended when Shaqiri swept in his third following more excellent approach play by Drmic. Honduras's wait for a first World Cup win extends to a ninth game.