Haris Seferović Hat-Trick

The ‘glorified friendlies’ also known as the UEFA Nations League has been classed as a mild success. The games contested in the Nations League so far are much more entertaining than the usual friendly matches in the past. The competition may have received heavy criticisms at the start but fans are warming to the concept of the new tournament. 

From League A, right down to D, there has been some extraordinary matches. Now that we have passed the first stage of the tournament, we can reflect on the Nations League so far. One result which has drawn the most attention was Switzerland’s unlikely win verse Belgium. It wasn’t that the Swiss weren’t capable of beating Belgium, it was more of the fact that they were down two goals before the twenty-minute mark.

Belgium found their two-goal advantage through Thorgan Hazard. His first was a gift from the Swiss defender, however, Thorgan’s second was a well-struck attempt at goal which the Keeper had little chance of keeping out. If the scoreline in this match stayed the same, it would have been Belgium who advanced to the Semi-Finals of the Nations League.

A matter of minutes following Belgium’s second, Switzerland won a controversial penalty kick which was converted by Ricardo Rodriguez. This fortunate turn of events spurred on a fanatic Swiss comeback and by halftime, the scores were in favour of the home side at 3-2. Benfica star, Haris Seferovic found himself on the scoresheet following a clever run to the back post to get on the end of a diverted header from his teammate. Seferovic doubled up just before the break with a guided shot into the top corner. Belgium was left stunned walking into their team talk and little did they know the thrashing wasn’t over.

On the hour mark, Switzerland extended their lead which almost secured a spot in the Nations League Semi-Finals. Seferovic officially put the game to bed in the last ten minutes as he scored his third and Switzerland fifth. Poor defending from Belgium’s defence left Seferovic with acres of space in the box and he was never going to miss the target. It Isn’t often that Courtouis concedes five goals.. except verse Barcelona.