Yan Sommer hands Swiss first-ever EURO knockout win; Spain dump Croatia in extra time

By
Shoumik Das
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Switzerland goalie Yann Sommer saves the penalty shot by France's Kylian Mbappe.

Bucharest: Switzerland created the biggest upset of the EURO 2020 as they edged past France on penalties (5-4) following a thrilling 3-3 draw after extra time in a Round of 16 encounter on Monday. This was Switzerland’s first-ever Euro knockout win.

Swiss goalie Yann Sommer saved the decisive penalty from Kylian Mbappe to help his nation through to the quarterfinals. The World No.13 side will now face Spain in the quarters, who defeated 2018 World Cup runners-up Croatia 5-3 in another thrilling of a contest.

At the National Arena, the Swiss went toe-to-toe against the reigning World Champions France with striker Haris Seferovic giving them an early lead in the 15th minute. The Les Bleus turned the heat up in the second half as Ricardo Rodriguez’s penalty was brilliantly saved by Hugo Lloris before Karim Benzema (57th, 59th) struck a quickfire double to put them back on track.

Paul Pogba rose up to the occasion with a swerving effort making it 3-1 on 75 minutes. However, Vladimir Petkovic’s side showed no signs of backing down as they brought the game to level through Seferovic who got his second in the 81st minute and Mario Gavranovic slotted home with a clinical finish forcing the game to extra-time.

With no difference after a tiring 120 minutes, it all came down to the penalty shootout. Switzerland converted all five of its efforts. The French too converted the first four before it was custodian Sommer who became the man of moment diving to his right to deny Mbappe pulling off a memorable victory.

Earlier on the day, the world witnessed another nail-biter as Spain beat Croatia 5-3 at Parken Stadium in Copenhagen. An own goal from Pedri gave Croatia an early in 20 minutes before Pablo Sarabia (38th) brought La Roja on level terms heading into the break.

Spain dominated possession and created chances thick and fast in the second half. Cesar Azpilicueta (57th) headed home for the lead before Ferran Torres (77th) with a composed finish in the box extended it to 3-1.

With five minutes left on the clock, it looked like game over for Luka Modric & Co. But the Croatians showed tremendous fighting spirit clawing their way back through Mislav Orsic in the 85th minute and a header from Mario Pasalic (90+2) forcing the game to extra time.

However, Alvaro Morata (100th) who has been under the fire for a while came to rescue with a left-footed volley to find which clearly dented the Croatian spirits. Mikel Oyarzabal put the icing on the cake in the 103rd minute as Luis Enrique’s side made it through to the quarterfinals where they will meet Switzerland.

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