Granit Xhaka scored and assisted an impressive couple of goals for Switzerland on Saturday, in a 5-0 win against Belarus.

Switzerland's Granit Xhaka (C) celebrates after scoring a goal with his team mates during the UEFA Euro 2024 Group I qualification match between Belarus and Switzerland, at the Karadjordje stadium, in Novi Sad on March 25, 2023. (Photo by ANDREJ ISAKOVIC/AFP via Getty Images)
Switzerland’s Granit Xhaka (C) celebrates after scoring a goal with his teammates during the UEFA Euro 2024 Group I qualification match between Belarus and Switzerland, at the Karadjordje stadium, in Novi Sad on March 25, 2023. (Photo by ANDREJ ISAKOVIC/AFP via Getty Images)

Switzerland were one of many international sides kicking off their European Championship qualification campaigns this week, and Granit Xhaka pulled on the captain’s armband as they face Belarus away from home.

The Arsenal midfielder has stepped up his goal contributions with his club this season, and he carried that form into the break with an excellent goal and assist.

In the 62nd minute of the game, Xhaka picked up possession outside the box and took a shot from over 20 yards out, with the ball arrowing into the net for 4-0.

A few minutes later, Xhaka whipped a pass over half the length of the pitch to Zeki Ambouni, who finished the chance for 5-0.

The goals secured the result and allowed Swiss boss Murat Yakin to withdraw Xhaka from the action a minute later for a rest.

You can watch the highlights here, with Xhaka’s goal at 3:35 and his assist at 4:10.

write article no plagiarism, seo headline, short slug, 160 character meta description, sub title and suggest sub headings, please stop capitalising every word in headings Arsenal's Swiss midfielder Granit Xhaka celebrates after scoring their third goal during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Crystal Palace at the Emirates Stadium in London on March 19, 2023.(Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images)
Arsenal’s Swiss midfielder Granit Xhaka celebrates after scoring their third goal during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Crystal Palace at the Emirates Stadium in London on March 19, 2023. (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images)

With Xhaka providing a couple of moments and real quality and getting an early rest, there’s a lot to like from an Arsenal point of view.

But the break isn’t over yet, with Xhaka likely to start against Israel on Tuesday at 19:45 BST.