Arda gives Turkey a late lifeline

Switzerland 1-2 Turkey : Euro 2008 co-hosts Switzerland crashed out of the competition as Turkey's Arda Turan scored a stoppage…

Switzerland 1-2 Turkey: Euro 2008 co-hosts Switzerland crashed out of the competition as Turkey's Arda Turan scored a stoppage time winner in a torrential Basel.

At times in the first half the game resembled a water-polo match as there were real concerns of a postponement; with Switzerland having coped much better with the conditions as they led at half-time thanks to Hakan Yakin's tap-in - aided and abetted by a puddle.

When the rain stopped Turkey, who had inadvertently hit the post in the opening 45 minutes off the back of Arda's head, came to the fore with some incisive attacking football.

Their leveller was well constructed as Nihat's pinpoint delivery was headed home by substitute Semih Senturk, but Swiss goalkeeper will Diego Benaglio will be less than pleased with his part in proceedings.

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Either side could have come out on top thereafter as chances were created and spurned but in the 91st minute, via a deflection off Patrick Muller, Arda's drive from the edge of the box deceived Benaglio and sunk Swiss dreams.