Xherdan Shaqiri stars for Switzerland in routine victory over Estonia

Switzerland remain outside the automatic qualifying spots at the halfway point of their Euro 2016 Group E qualifying campaign despite a comfortable 3-0 victory over Estonia.

First-half goals from Fabian Schar and Granit Xhaka and Haris Seferovic's 80th-minute strike, all coming from Xherdan Shaqiri assists, helped the Swiss claim their third successive victory of the campaign.

But group leaders England remain six points ahead after they eased past Lithuania, while Vladimir Petkovic's men also remain behind Slovenia, who thrashed San Marino on Friday.

Estonia stay fifth after their third loss of the group although it was the visitors who started brightly.

Ilja Antonov and Konstantin Vassiljev both missed the target with shots from distance while Gokhan Inler did likewise for Switzerland, who took a 17th-minute lead.

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Schar headed on at the front post from Shaqiri's whipped cross and although Sergei Pareiko was able to get a hand to it, the Estonia goalkeeper could not keep it out.

Inter Milan midfielder Shaqiri was involved in the home side's second 10 minutes later providing the pass for Xhaka, who collected the ball just outside the area before driving low past Pareiko.

Shaqiri himself missed the target from distance shortly afterwards, but Switzerland were nearly pegged back just after the interval as Vassiljev struck narrowly wide when well placed.

Switzerland were guilty of resting on their laurels for much of the second half but still managed to add to their advantage 10 minutes from full-time, with Shaqiri once again in the thick of the action.

The 23-year-old's left-wing cross into the area created havoc and after Estonia failed to clear their lines, Seferovic was on hand to slam home after the ball had fallen to him.