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Co-hosts Swiss end tournament on high after Yakin brace

15/06/2008

A double from Hakan Yakin saw Switzerland end their Euro 2008 campaign with a 2-0 win over Portugal in Basel.

Yakin netted twice in the second half to give the Swiss their first win in the European Championships.

Despite the defeat, Portugal finish top of Group A and will face the runner-up of Group B in Thursday's quarter-final.

Having secured qualification, Luiz Felipe Scolari made eight changes including a start for Manchester United winger Nani, while Erin Derdiyok and Johan Vonlathen started for the Euro 2008 co-hosts.

Portugal's second string looked eager to impressive in the opening exchanges with ex-Tottenham striker Helder Postiga heading Ricardo Quaresma's cross inches over.

Nani then fired a low free-kick which struck Pepe with Pascal Zuberbuehler tipping the ball onto the crossbar.

Switzerland's best chance of the half fell to Yakin with his header from a corner clawed away by goalkeeper Ricardo.

Portugal thought they had taken the lead on 35 minutes when Postiga tucked the ball in but the goal was controversially ruled out for off-side.

Scolari's men continued to carve out the better chances in the second half with Nani rattling the post from eight yards out while Quaresma's rasping effort from 20 yards was punched away by Zuberbuehler.

Despite being under the cosh, Switzerland came agonisingly close to breaking the deadlock on 62 minutes when substitute Tranquilo Barnetta's shot was deflected wide by Pepe.

That sparked the Swiss into action with Gokhan Inler firing a sensational strike from 30 yards that clipped the post. And their possession was rewarded when Yakin ran onto Eren Derdiyok's through ball and smashed the ball between Ricardo's legs on 71 minutes to make it 1-0.

Eleven minutes later, the Swiss were awarded a penalty when Barnetta was hauled down by Fernando Meira with Yakin stepping up and slotting the ball in.

Portugal will now turn their turn their attentions to the knockout stages where they are likely to face Germany.