Xtra Time Web Desk: Kylian Mbappe missed the decisive penalty as world champions France were knocked out of the EURO 2020 pre quarter final clash at the National Arena in Bucharest on Monday night. France was two goals ahead with nine minutes of regulation time left but an inspirational spell of play saw the Swiss restore parity with goals from Seferovic and Gavranovic. The score in the tie-breaker read 5-4 in favour of the Swiss after the extra time ended 3-3. Karim Benzema (57”, 59”) and Paul Pogba (75”) were on target for France while Haris Seferovic (15”, 81”) and Mario Gavranovic (90”) scored for Switzerland during the regulation time. Switzerland will now meet Spain in the quarter finals at Saint Petersburg on Friday.
Haris Seferovic gave Switzerland the lead in the 15th minute as he headed home off a cross from Steven Zuber. The Swiss had a golden opportunity to extend the lead as they were awarded a penalty by the Argentine referee for a foul committed by Rafael Varane on Zuber in the 53rd minute. Ricardo Rodrguez failed to convert from the spot kick as Hugo Lloris guessed it right.
Karim Benzema equalized for France in the 57th minute off a perfect pass from Antoine Griezmann. Benzema was again on the scoresheet two minutes later as he headed home off a cross from Griezmann to see France take the lead. It was his fourth goal in EURO 2020 after having being in exile for 6 years. He also equalled Zinedine Zidane’s record of 31 goals for France. Paul Pogba scored a stunning goal on the 75th minute to see France take a 3-1 lead.
With just 9 minutes for regulation time, Switzerland pulled one goal back as Seferovic scored off a cross from Mbabu. Much to the delight of the Swiss fans, substitute Mario Gavranovic scored the equalizer in the 90 th minute. France did had a last minute opportunity to score as Sissoko’s shot hit the crossbar. The scores remained 3-3 after the extra time as the match went to tie-breaker.
For Switzerland Mario Gavranovic, Fabian Schar, Manuel Akanji, Reuben Vargas and Admir Mehmedi scored while Paul Pogba, Olivier Giroud, Marcus Thuram, Presnel Kimpembe converted from the spot kick for France. Kylian Mbappe stepped up to take the decisive penalty but a superb diving save towards the right from Yann Sommer saw Switzerland through to the quarter finals.