TheCable

Kylian Mbappe had his penalty saved as Switzerland defied the odds to knock France out of Euro 2020 in the round of 16 encounter.

Switzerland won the shootout 5-4 at the national arena stadium in Bucharest on Monday night after a 3-3 draw through extra time.

Karim Benzema had scored twice while Paul Pogba added a third goal to give France a 3-1 lead.

They, however, squandered the lead in the last ten minutes of normal time.

This will be the first time that Switzerland has reached the quarter-finals of a major competition since 1954.

In the thrilling encounter, Switzerland took a surprise lead through Haris Seferovic’s header from Steven Zuber’s cross in the 15th minute.

France responded in the second half through Benzema’s chipped goal and header to hand Didier Deschamps’ side the advantage, while Pogba’s unstoppable 25-yard curler extended the lead.

Switzerland had earlier missed a penalty to go 2-0 up before the French revival, but they managed to capitalize on the world champions’ porous defence.

Seferovic scored another header on 81 minutes before Mario Gavranovic equalized in the last minute of added time to force extra time.

France had opportunities to win the game but Mbappe appeared to be having a poor night while the bar prevented Kingsley Coman from scoring a dramatic winner.

Mbappe, the Paris Saint-Germain star man, would cap his atrocious night with a penalty miss as Yan Sommer stopped the 22-year-old’s kick to send Switzerland through to the next round.

Switzerland’s opponent in the quarter final is Spain.

RESULTS

• Crotia 3-5 Spain (3-3 full time, Spain win after extra time)
• France 3-3 Switzerland (Switzerland win 5-4 on penalties)