Both Senderos goals were headed efforts, the first coming as he nodded on Alexander Frei's free-kick from the right. The second, just moments later and before the hosts had a chance to catch their breath, came from the same route, but this time it was Tranquillo Barnetta's free-kick that was headed home.

Luxembourg looked shell-shocked and could have leaked a third before the 10th minute, Frei just failing to find the target from a fine position. There was not long to wait for a third, though, Huggel scoring a third headed goal as he turned a 22nd-minute corner past Jonathan Joubert.

The home side did fashion one chance of their own in the first half, Diego Benaglio parrying well from Joel Kitenge's shot. The tempo took a discernible downturn from there on as Switzerland settled into a contented period of possession.

Despite a lack of urgency, there were still chances as Frei went close in the 55th minute and Blaise Nkufo spurned a good chance eight minutes later. Luxembourg, qualification dreams already dashed after just one win in their first eight outings, had little of note to offer in response, with Benaglio increasingly resembling a bystander.

Indeed, it was Switzerland who looked most likely to strike again, Huggel trying but failing to add his second after 64 minutes. Switzerland substitute Eren Derdiyok also had a chance to mark his introduction with a goal but Joubert was on hand to parry.

There were late hints of attacking intent from the home team, Jeff Strasser missing with an 80th-minute free-kick from 30 yards and Serdo Pupovac beating Benaglio with a header four minutes from time only to find Christoph Spycher blocking on the line.