Bucharest: Switzerland made a stunning comeback after being 3-1 down to send their Euro 2020 last-16 tie against France to extra time and then penalties, where Kylian Mbappe failed to convert from the spot and eventually named as winners. France started off better, but it was Switzerland who took the lead after 15 minutes as Haris Seferovic headed home a pinpoint cross from Steven Zuber.
“People said that Spain couldn’t score, but I never thought that.”
Neither Mbappe nor Adrien Rabiot managed to equalise before the break, as France were poor in the first 45 minutes and struggled.
The World Champions pushed forward in search of an equaliser after the interval, but Switzerland were awarded a penalty against the run of the play.
Benjamin Pavard’s sliding tackle on Steven Zuber was allowed to continue by the referee, but he later went to the VAR screen and pointed to the spot. Ricardo Rodriguez stepped up for Switzerland, but Hugo Lloris produced a good save to keep France in the game.
Lloris’ save proved to be the turning point for France, whose attacking trident combined brilliantly on two occasions in a space of two minutes, with Benzema netting a brace to complete the comeback.
Paul Pogba soon unleashed an incredible strike from outside the box to beat Yann Sommer and make it 3-1, but Switzerland pulled one back not long after through Seferovic after a brilliant cross from Kevin Mbabu.
Mario Gavranonic scored a third for Switzerland from close range, but his goal was overruled by VAR for offside, before the same player netting a last-gasp equaliser with a first-time strike, following an excellent pass from Granit Xhaka.
Second-half substitute Kingsley Coman had the opportunity to score a winner late into stoppage time, but his shot crashed against the crossbar.
France dominated in extra time, but Mbappe missed a big chance to net the decider after a great Pogba pass, which led to the game going to penalties.
