Soccer-Slick Switzerland edge Serbia in goalfest to reach last 16

Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 - Group G - Serbia v Switzerland - Stadium 974, Doha, Qatar - December 2, 2022 Switzerland players celebrate after the match as Switzerland qualify for the knockout stages REUTERS/Alberto Lingria

DOHA (Reuters) -Switzerland reached the World Cup knockout phase for the third straight time after prevailing 3-2 over Serbia on Friday to finish runners-up in Group G and set up a last 16 showdown with Portugal.

In a contest that ebbed and flowed at breakneck speed in the first half at Stadium 974, Xherdan Shaqiri put Switzerland ahead but Serbia swiftly scored twice within 10 minutes through Aleksandar Mitrovic and Dusan Vlahovic to flip the game on its head.