Soccer-Swiss hat trick hero takes his chance to set up winning start

Soccer Football - UEFA Euro 2024 Qualifier - Group I - Belarus v Switzerland - Stadion Karadjordje, Novi Sad, Serbia - March 25, 2023 Switzerland's Renato Steffen celebrates scoring their third goal REUTERS/Marko Djurica/

NOVI SAD, Serbia (Reuters) - Swiss striker Renato Steffen took what he saw as a last chance in the Switzerland team and scored a hat trick to ensure a winning start to their European Championship qualifying campaign on Saturday.

Steffen netted his three goals in the first 29 minutes as they stormed into a half-time lead, and eventually won 5-0, away against Belarus, in a match played behind closed doors in Serbia, at the start of Group I.