With 33 days remaining until the 2026 World Cup kicks off, we continue revisiting the most breathtaking goals in World Cup history. Today's feature centers on Swiss star Xherdan Shaqiri.
During Group E of the 2014 Brazil World Cup, Honduras faced Switzerland. Lionel Messi had already cut in from the right and scored two brilliant goals, and now it was time for the so-called Alpine Messi to take center stage. Switzerland entered the final group match needing a better result than Ecuador to advance. Shaqiri emphasized the importance of a fast start, knowing the longer the game dragged on, the more difficult it would become.
Fortunately for Switzerland, they broke the deadlock within just a few minutes. The player known as the Power Cube used his powerful upper body to shrug off Juan Carlos Garcia before unleashing an unstoppable drive into the top corner. That goal completed the 50th hat-trick in World Cup history and secured Switzerland's place in the Round of 16, setting up a showdown between the Alpine Messi and the real Messi in Sao Paulo.
