France vs Switzerland round-of-16 match ended shockingly for the team that most expected to be the eventual winners. Heavy underdogs Switzerland handed France their early exit in the Euro 2020 as the match had to be decided via a penalty shootout.
France Had Almost Won In France vs Switzerland
The flair did not have the last laugh in the France vs Switzerland matchup. France was actually ahead by two goals till the 80th minute. However, the Swiss came back and forced the game into extra time. With extra time being unable to decide the winner, the penalty shootout was the final option. This was the first shootout for the Euro 2020. However, Kylian Mbappe had his shot saved by Yann Sommer resulting in Switzerland winning the France vs Switzerland 5-4.
Sommer had made an inspired dive towards the eight which was enough to turn away the striker from PSG. The Bucharest tie was a rollercoaster ride till the final moments since none of the previous players had failed to score their penalties.
For Switzerland, this victory is one for the history books. It is their first appearance since 1954 in a major competition’s quarter-finals. Moreover, France had never been defeated by the Swiss in any tournaments. Haris Seferovic scored a brace, both of them headers, while Mario Gravanovic got them the equalizer. Granit Xhaka, of Arsenal, put in one of his lifetime best performances in the midfield.
Xhaka said that they wrote history, and now they can dream. This was also the first shootout won by a Swiss side. Their next opponents are high-flying Spain on Friday in St. Petersburg.
However, France was left baffled by the defeat. The favorites played really well for about a 20 minute period when Karim Benzema got a brace, and Paul Pogba possibly scored the tournament’s best goal. But, for the rest of the match, the side’s defense was severely lacking
