Switzerland stun France to reach Euro 2020 quarters; Mbappe misses in penalty shootout

Switzerland's goalkeeper Yann Sommer saves the penalty shot by France's Kylian Mbappe during the Euro 2020 soccer championship round of 16 match between France and Switzerland at the National Arena stadium in Bucharest, Romania, Tuesday, June 29, 2021. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda, Pool)

Switzerland dared to dream and they did what many said would be beyond them. They stunned world champions to reach the quarterfinals of Euro 2020. It was David vs Goliath and David did win. After being two goals down, the Swiss made the most outstanding, outrageous of comebacks to force the game into extra time and then denied Kylian Mbappe during the penalty shootout to script a famous win.

Steven Zuber used the space afforded by Rodriguez's overlapping run, clipping in a left-wing cross that Seferovic headed past Lloris after rising all too easily above Clement Lenglet. Switzerland had the chance to go two-nil up on the 53^rd minute when they were awarded a penalty after Pavard fouled Zuber in the box. Rodriguez stepped up to take the penalty but he shot straight at the diving Hugo Lloris. Switzerland survived a scare a minute later when Mbappe’s shot went wide of the post.

Karim Benzema, recalled to the France squad for the tournament after a five-and-a-half-year international exile, then struck a quick-fire double to put the Euro 2016 finalists back on track. He had also scored both of France's goals in their final groupstage fixture against Portugal. Paul Pogba's sensational curling effort made it 3-1, but Switzerland forced extra time as Seferovic grabbed his second of the game before Gavranovic levelled in the final minute.

France thought they had won after two goals from Karim Benzema and a belter of a goal from Paul Pogba. In fact, Pogba was left to rue the nature of his celebration after France's loss. Mbappe, the boy wonder was nothing short of disastrous on the night and was misfiring continuously. He had a brilliant chance in the dying seconds of extra time to send France through to the quarters, but he missed.

Switzerland converted all five of their penalties before Sommer dived to his right to turn away Mbappe's kick, as the Swiss won a major tournament knockout tie for first time in 83 years. They will now face Spain in the quarterfinals. Spain beat Croatia 5-3 to book their place in the quarterfinals earlier in the day.