BUCHAREST – Switzerland knocked world champions France out of Euro 2020 in 5-4 penalty shoot-out win following a thrilling 3-3 draw after extra time on Monday, making its way to the quarterfinals.
Switzerland’s goalkeeper Yann Sommer denied French striker Kylian Mbappe’s spot kick to earn his side the victory. Switzerland will next play against Spain, which beat Croatia 5-3 after extra time, in St. Petersburg on Friday.
Both teams were perfect from the penalty spot until Mbappe stepped up to take the last of France’s five scheduled kicks, but Sommer dived to his right and got a strong hand to the striker’s effort, swatting it away to send the Swiss through.
Mario Gavranovic’s 90th-minute strike allowed Switzerland to take France to extra time at Euro 2020 as the last-16 tie in Bucharest ended 3-3 after 90 minutes.
Haris Seferovic gave the Swiss a half-time lead in the Romanian capital but Hugo Lloris saved a Ricardo Rodriguez penalty early in the second half before a Karim Benzema double turned the game on its head.
A stunning Paul Pogba strike then had the world champions 3-1 ahead but Seferovic scored again to reduce the deficit before substitute Gavranovic equalized.
It was the third game in the round of last 16 to go to extra time but the first to be decided by penalties.
Spain survives Croatia’s fight back
Luis Enrique’s Spanish side meanwhile witnessed a dramatic turn of events after Croatia scored two goals to level the match 3-3 in the last 10 minutes of the regular time, hitting another two in the extra time to claim the victory and reach the European Championships quarterfinals on Monday.
Xinhua News Agency reported Alvaro Morata slotted home in the 100th minute to put Spain ahead again before Mikel Oyarzabal sealed the match 5-3 three minutes later.
The 2018 World Cup runners-up fought back from 3-1 down in the 85th minute as goals from Mislav Orsic and Mario Pasalic temporarily saved the team and pulled the match into the extra time.
Spanish goalkeeper Unai Simon committed a bizarre mistake early in the first half as he didn’t look at the ball when Pedri passed back from 40 yards out, only to see the ball find its way into the net to give Croatia the lead.
It was the ninth own goal in this year’s Euro, which has equaled the tally of all the previous editions.
Pablo Sarabia leveled the score for the Spaniards in the 38th minute, while Cesar Azpilicueta and Ferran Torres were on target in the second half to make it a 3-1 lead for Spain.
Spain will next face Switzerland.
