Switzerland defeated world champions France 5-4 on penalties within the final 16 of Euro 2020 on Monday as Kylian Mbappe missed the decisive spot-kick within the shootout following an exciting 3-3 attract Bucharest. Mario Gavranovic equalised within the ninetieth minute as Switzerland got here from two targets down earlier than Yann Sommer saved from Mbappe within the shootout to e-book Switzerland a quarter-final conflict in opposition to Spain. Haris Seferovic had given Vladimir Petkovic’s Switzerland a shock lead on quarter-hour however Ricardo Rodriguez’s penalty was brilliantly saved by Hugo Lloris early within the second half. Karim Benzema, recalled to the France squad for the match after a five-and-a-half-year worldwide exile, then struck a quick-fire double to place the Euro 2016 finalists again on observe.
Paul Pogba’s sensational curling effort made it 3-1, however Switzerland compelled additional time as Seferovic grabbed his second of the sport earlier than Gavranovic levelled within the last minute.
Switzerland transformed all 5 of their penalties earlier than Sommer dived to his proper to show away Mbappe’s kick, because the Swiss received a serious match knockout tie for first time in 83 years.
France coach Didier Deschamps controversially switched to a 3-4-1-2 formation designed to extract the most effective from his attacking trio of Benzema, Mbappe and Antoine Griezmann, nevertheless it was as an alternative Seferovic who gave the Swiss a shock lead.
Steven Zuber used the house afforded by Rodriguez’s overlapping run, clipping in a left-wing cross that Seferovic headed previous Lloris after rising all too simply above Clement Lenglet.
After a dismal first half, by which France failed to check Sommer, Deschamps ditched the experiment of three on the again, hauling off Lenglet and introducing Kingsley Coman whereas reverting to a extra acquainted 4-4-2.
Lloris saves penalty
However France had been indebted to Lloris from sparing them from additional hassle after a lung-busting run from Zuber finally resulted in a penalty for the Swiss when he was introduced down by Benjamin Pavard.
Argentine referee Fernando Rapallini instantly pointed to the spot following a VAR evaluation, however Lloris flung himself to his proper to claw away Rodriguez’s try — the seventh missed penalty of 15 taken on the match.
The momentum quickly swung sharply in France’s favour as Benzema, scorer of each targets within the 2-2 draw with Portugal within the group section, beautifully dragged a move from Mbappe into his stride, lifting over Sommer to stage.
The Actual Madrid striker headed France in entrance two minutes later when Griezmann’s dinked effort was turned away by Sommer however solely to a ready Benzema who headed in from point-blank vary.
Pogba’s magnificent 25-yard strike had France on the cusp of the final eight, however Seferovic powered in a terrific supply from substitute Kevin Mbabu with 9 minutes left to provide the Swiss hope.
Gavranovic then had a aim dominated out for offside, however there was no doubting his last-minute equaliser as he skipped previous Presnel Kimpembe and drove low past Lloris.
Remarkably, Coman almost received the sport with the ultimate kick, rattling the crossbar proper on the finish of harm time.
Promoted
An ailing Benzema was withdrawn initially of additional time for Olivier Giroud, moments earlier than Sommer tipped over beautifully to disclaim Pavard.
Pogba launched Mbappe with a piercing move by means of the Swiss defence however the Paris Saint-Germain ahead sliced large, with Sommer flying to his proper to understand Giroud’s header earlier than his penalty heroics.
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