Granit Xhaka outshone Christian Eriksen as Switzerland met Denmark in a Euro 2020 qualifier – though Spurs’ Premier League star had the last laugh.
There was an interestingly little subplot at the heart of Switzerland’s Euro 2020 qualifier against Denmark on Tuesday – a battle between Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur in the centre of the park.
And, for the most part, The Gunners won the battle. Christian Eriksen is undoubtedly Denmark’s talisman these days but he was anonymous throughout most of the game at St Jakob Park in Basel, dominated by Arsenal’s ever-improving playmaker Granit Xhaka.
The former Borussia Monchengladbach man has enjoyed his best season at The Emirates under Unai Emery and transferred his fine club form onto the international stage as Denmark came to town.
Xhaka produced a typically combative and determined performance, capped by a tenth international goal when he thumped home a trademark drive from long range – with his un-favoured right foot no less.
Eriksen, meanwhile, was stuck on the periphery as a Xhaka inspired Switzerland raced into a 3-0 lead. And Arsenal fans didn’t waste an opportunity to mock their North London neighbours.
In the end, however, Spurs’ influential playmaker had the last laugh. Switzerland coach Vladimir Petkovic made the mistake of subbing Xhaka off with 10 minutes to go, inadvertently giving Eriksen the freedom he had been crying out for.
The former Ajax star came to the fore from then on, playing a huge role as Denmark scored three times in the final 10 minutes to seal an improbable draw.
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