Switzerland crashed out of Euro 2008 as Turkey's Arda Turan scored a stoppage time winner.
Co-hosts dumped out of the competition due to late, late goal
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 Kahveci's pinpoint delivery was headed home by substitute Semih Senturk, but Swiss goalkeeper Diego Benaglio will be less than pleased with his part in proceedings.
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.
Arda's late intervention will have delighted the Portugal camp as they now enter their final game against the Swiss on Sunday as guaranteed group winners, courtesy of a superior head-to-head record against Turkey and Czech Republic.
Torrential rain
The opening period was played out against a torrential downpour that saw large quantities of water pooled over all the pitch, as Turkey's short passing game was dampened by the spirited Swiss.
Yakin's opener just past the half hour mark owed much to the conditions, as Eren Deridiyok's square ball across goal from the right, after he had rounded Volkan Demirel, slowed in the mud to create the simplest of openings for his team-mate.
Moments later, from an almost identical position, Yakin was left with his head in his hands when from no more than a couple of yards from goal he dragged a horrible effort wide.
Prior to Yakin's opener, Turkey had their impressive goalkeeper Demirel to thank for keeping them in the game, as he pulled off fine stops to deny both Yakin and Tranquillo Barnetta.
Profligacy punished
Turkey coach Fatih Terim acted decisively at the break and threw on substitute Senturk to boost his insipid attack. The move reaped dividends just ten minutes past the restart when Senturk rose to head in Kahveci's pinpoint delivery.
Switzerland responded brightly but lacked any decisiveness in the final third as Yakin squandered their best chance when he shot meekly when played in on the counter-attack.
Yakin's profligacy in front of goal was punished in stoppage time as Arda, the game's outstanding performer, cut in from the left and via a deflection off Muller, beat Bengalio from the edge of the box.
