Seferovic hattrick inspires remarkable Switzerland comeback to earn UEFA Nations League spot

Switzerland produced a spectacular comeback against a highly fancied Belgium side to win 5-2 and top their UEFA Nations League group, with Benfica striker Seferovic inspiring the victory.

Switzerland went into the game knowing that nothing less than victory would be sufficient to advance to the finals in Portugal, and if they were to concede two or more goals in the process, their victory would need to be by at least a two goal margin.

It was therefore a disastrous start for the Swiss, who conceded twice in the opening 20 minutes, Thorgan Hazard capitalising on a disastrous defensive mistake to score in the opening two minutes, before his powerful low strike from the edge of the box doubled Belgium's lead.

It meant that Switzerland, who were 33/1 to win the tournament before kick-off, needed to score four goals with no reply to advance, a task that looked virtually impossible.

However, Switzerland didn't let the atrocious start get to them and looked motivated and confident throughout the game. And they were given a lifeline when they were awarded a soft penalty in the 26th minute, an opportunity Ricardo Rodriguez eventually converted.

And Switzerland continued to press, still believing that their hopes of qualification were still alive, and, just after the half hour mark, Seferovic bagged his first of the game, getting on the end of Shaqiri's knock down across the box and tapping in beyond Courtois. It was game on in Luzern!

And there was even time for a fifth goal in the opening 45 minutes, with Benfica's Seferovic doubling his tally on the night, a well-taken curling effort snapped into the far corner beyond Courtois, and Switzerland had already completed an extraordinary first-half comeback.

It wouldn't be enough of course, but now Switzerland only needed one more goal to secure a place in the next round.

Switzerland did more than enough in the second half though, Elvedi getting the crucial fourth goal just after an hour of game time had been played, before Seferovic again popped up, heading home with just six minutes remaining to secure the result - and safe passage to Portugal for June 2019.