Navigation

Argentina’s Messi leaves Switzerland trailing

Football star Lionel Messi scored a hat trick, making Argentina the 3-1 winners of an international friendly in the Swiss capital, Bern, on Wednesday evening.

This content was published on March 1, 2012 - 08:05
swissinfo.ch and agencies

He outshone Switzerland's hot prospect Xherdan Shaqiri, the FC Basel forward who has recently signed with Bayern München, and who struck home for his team in the 49th minute.

Comparisons have been drawn between Messi and Shaqiri as both are quick, technical and left-footed.

The Argentine scored in the 20th minute and in the 88th before rounding the match off with a stoppage-time penalty to live up to his billing as the three-time World Player of the Year.

Switzerland coach Ottmar Hitzfeld had conflicting emotions about a match that slipped away in the closing minutes.

"I'm disappointed with the result," Hitzfeld said, adding, "it's always a huge pleasure to see Messi. Except if you're the coach of the opposing team".

In compliance with the JTI standards

In compliance with the JTI standards

More: SWI swissinfo.ch certified by the Journalism Trust Initiative

Sort by

Change your password

Do you really want to delete your profile?

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the subscription process, please click the link in the email we just sent you.

Discover our weekly must-reads for free!

Sign up to get our top stories straight into your mailbox.

The SBC Privacy Policy provides additional information on how your data is processed.