Mbappe fails from the spot as favourites eliminated by Switzerland

Kylian Mbappe saw the crucial spot-kick saved by Yann Sommer as Euro 2020 favourites France were eliminated by Switzerland in a thrilling shoot-out after a dramatic 3-3 draw in Monday's last-16 tie.

France looked to have battled back from the brink after going a goal down early on and conceding a penalty only to then find themselves 3-1 up with 15 minutes of regulation time remaining in Bucharest. But a late Swiss fight-back saw Haris Seferovic net his second and Mario Gavranovic force extra-time after cancelling out Karim Benzema's brace and Paul Pogba's scorcher.

Both sides had chances in the extra 30 minutes but poor finishing meant the game went to penalties, where Mbappe's disappointing tournament was summed up with the unsuccessful kick that sent France packing, Sommer diving to his right to make the save that sent remarkably sent Switzerland through 5-4 in the shoot-out.

Haris Seferovic scored in the 15th minute to put the Swiss ahead after rising higher than Clement Lenglet to put the Swiss ahead. The Swiss were the better side in the first half and were awarded a VAR penalty early in the second period after Zuber was fouled by Pavard. However, Ricardo Rodriguez saw his spot kick saved by Hugo Lloris and that seemed to be the turning point. Karim Benzema struck twice in two minutes after lovely play and then Paul Pogba looked to have won it with a curling shot from outside the box, but Switzerland had other ideas. 

Seferovic got his second nine minutes from time after heading in Mbabu's cross and then Gavranovic, after having a goal disallowed in the 85th minute, scored in the 90th minute after being given the ball by Xhaka. 

Substitute Kingsley Coman could have won it for France with the last kick of the game, but his effort came back off the crossbar. In extra-time, the Swiss were much better in the first period while the French fought back in the second. Despite many chances, the game went to spot kicks. 

Gavranovic, Schar, Akanji, Vargas and Mehmedi all scored for the Swiss while Pogba, Giroud, Thuram and Kimpembe all converted before Kylian Mbappe's poor penalty which sent France packing. The result sees Switzerland take on Spain in the quarter-final on Friday in St Petersburg at 18:00 CEST. 

 

June 28, 2021