Two of Europe's finest teenage playmakers donned the number ten shirts as Switzerland took on Denmark in the European Under-21 Championship on Saturday night, but it was Xherdan Shaqiri rather than Christian Eriksen who dazzled in Denmark.
While no football match can be reduced entirely to a single individual contest, the fixture in Aalborg was depicted as a battle between the two playmakers, both of whom travelled to the World Cup finals last summer with their respective countries.
It was a battle that Shaqiri won comfortably. Born in Kosovo but representing Switzerland having moved to Basel as a child, the 19-year-old enhanced his already impressive reputation with a performance of real class in a 1-0 victory for his side.
His winning goal after 48 minutes was a work of art. Shaqiri channelled Lionel Messi as he collected the ball in the centre of the pitch some 40 yards from goal, drove past a succession of red shirts and picked his spot in the far corner. It set a daunting aesthetic standard for the goal of the tournament competition.
The FC Basel star has already been likened to Romanian great Gheorghe Hagi, and though it is an intimidating comparison, it is justified. Like the man nicknamed the Maradona of the Carpathians, Shaqiri has a stocky build and a left foot that veers between paintbrush and scalpel.
Never afraid to take on a shot from long range, though on Saturday's evidence his finishing needs some work in that regard, Shaqiri also possesses a capability for the unexpected: a back-heeled pass here, a drag-back and flick there.
Though his passing can be refined and he remains somewhat selfish in possession, Saturday's display only confirmed we are witnessing the evolution of a major European talent.
Key moments
3' Shaqiri collects possession and dinks a wonderful pass over the top of the Denmark defence for Innocent Emeghara, who sees his shot saved.
31' The playmaker receives a square pass and his excellent first touch sees him spin into space before he drags a shot wide of the post from 20 yards.
45' He shows his intent once again from range when making space 20 yards from goal and curling a fine effort wide of the upright.
48' Shaqiri scores a wonder goal when slipping away from numerous Denmark players and driving into the box before firing back across Mikkel Andersen and in.
79' The teenager succeeds where opposite number Eriksen failed as he produces a Zidane turn to sneak away from his marker.
Player ratings
Creativity: 8/10
Passing: 8/10
Shooting: 7/10
Technique: 9/10
Vision: 8/10
Approximate value: £10 million.
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