If you thought it would take a while for a game at Euro 2020 to top Spain's 5-3 extra-time win over Croatia, you were wrong. In fact, it took only hours, as France and Switzerland played out a thrilling contest Monday, with Switzerland knocking out tournament favourites Les Bleus in penalties after the teams played to a 3-3 tie through 120 minutes.
There was a shocking early lead for underdogs Switzerland, a frantic four-minute stretch in the second half that saw Switzerland have a penalty saved and France score twice through Karim Benzema, and then an unlikely late fightback by Switzerland to force extra time. If that wasn't enough, Kingsley Coman hit the crossbar with a volley with the last kick of regulation time! Then after both teams had chances to win it in extra time, we went to penalties with Switzerland outlasting France 3-3 (5-4 on spot kicks).
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The drama started in the 15th minute with journeyman striker Haris Seferovic brilliantly heading Switzerland in front against the run of the play.
SWITZERLAND TAKE THE LEAD AGAINST FRANCE! 😳 pic.twitter.com/AKAIpWrsAX
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) June 28, 2021
If Switzerland's 1-0 lead wasn't a big enough shock, they were awarded a penalty 10 minutes into the second half. Veteran defender Ricardo Rodriguez stepped up to take it with a chance to put Switzerland one foot into the last eight at Euro 2020. That's when the floodgates opened. Hugo Lloris not only saved the penalty but it seemed to immediately spark a dormant France to life. Four minutes later, they led 2-1 following two brilliant goals from Karim Benzema -- featuring a preposterous first touch from the Real Madrid man.
📸 The moment Hugo Lloris saved Ricardo Rodríguez's penalty! 🧤#EURO2020 https://t.co/sZZxHRjC3y pic.twitter.com/mtgVeqTQlb
— UEFA EURO 2020 (@EURO2020) June 28, 2021
Hugo Lloris has saved his first penalty for #FRA in over eight years (October 2012, vs. @cesc4official).
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) June 28, 2021
That save could be oh so vital. pic.twitter.com/ssYYv4wetD
Swiss penalty
— Zito (@_Zeets) June 28, 2021
Benzema goal
Second Benzema goal pic.twitter.com/d34QHmyx8a
Karim Benzema joins Wayne Rooney (2004), Michel Platini (1984) and Gerd Müller (1972) as the only players in EURO history with consecutive multi-goal games.
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) June 28, 2021
Both Platini and Müller won the title AND Golden Boot in those years. pic.twitter.com/xCRFxNIAYr
Didier Deschamps on Karim Benzema #FRA pic.twitter.com/iemmIn3MI9
— Avi Creditor (@AviCreditor) June 28, 2021
France led 2-1 and then made it three with Paul Pogba scoring one of the goals of the tournament, dispatching a long-range strike into the top corner.
POGBOOM ‼️
— ESPN (@espn) June 28, 2021
Pogba with a perfect strike to the upper 90 😱 pic.twitter.com/TdzrfC20yb
We're waiting...
Name a player who's been better than Paul Pogba at #Euro2020... pic.twitter.com/GOvo1e2ub5
— talkSPORT (@talkSPORT) June 28, 2021
We concur.
Paul Pogba c'est magnifique.
— Jason Davis (@davisjsn) June 28, 2021
Game over, right? Wrong. Switzerland clawed one back through a Seferovic header, and then Mario Gavranovic equalised after a mazy run and well-placed strike in injury time.
SWITZERLAND SEND THE GAME TO EXTRA TIME 😱😱 pic.twitter.com/IHpO445Nza
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) June 28, 2021
How was it for fans on Monday? This guy sums up the range of emotions pretty well ...
If someone asks you why you love football, just show them this Switzerland fan... pic.twitter.com/fyNy2h5e72
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) June 28, 2021
We did
— Buffalo Wild Wings (@BWWings) June 28, 2021
With both teams combining to make the first nine penalties, it all came down to Kylian Mbappe vs. Yann Sommer.
MBAPPE MISSED!!
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) June 28, 2021
SWITZERLAND PULL OFF THE MASSIVE UPSET!! pic.twitter.com/Wv3hEYoURF
Switzerland have done it! What a win, what a comeback, what a day of football!
2 GAMES.
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) June 28, 2021
14 GOALS.
COMEBACKS.
GOLAZOS.
EXTRA TIME.
PENALTIES.
UNDERDOG WINS.
WHAT A DAY OF FOOTBALL 🤯 pic.twitter.com/Mj2g3UBVCH
France were favourites after winning the World Cup in 2018, but favourites don't always win.
It happened again.
— The Action Network (@ActionNetworkHQ) June 28, 2021
Last time the betting favorite entering the Euros were eliminated without winning a knockout round match?
2004 France, who lost to Greece -- the eventual champion 🏆 pic.twitter.com/slqIDdMqL3
Both Spain and France reached exactly a 99.2% win probability when up by 2 goals, according to ESPN's win probability model.
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) June 28, 2021
That means that the likelihood of what has transpired today (both teams not winning in 90 minutes) was .0064%. pic.twitter.com/Ui8DFS7hxj
Context for Switzerland's win vs France:
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) June 28, 2021
3rd reigning WC champion to be eliminated in a penalty shoot-out in EURO history
Switzerland's streak of 11 straight major tournaments without reaching a QF officially comes to a close, the longest active streak by any European team pic.twitter.com/O95TEydzem
How ya feeling, Arsenal fans?
Impressive in midfield both offensively and defensively 🇨🇭 Switzerland captain Granit Xhaka takes the plaudits 👏@Heineken | #EUROSOTM | #EURO2020 pic.twitter.com/sRnXc4yA2Y
— UEFA EURO 2020 (@EURO2020) June 28, 2021
Could Zinedine Zidane replace Didier Deschamps? Stay tuned, says transfer guru Fabrizio Romano ...
Florentino Perez, three days ago.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 28, 2021
"Zinedine Zidane dreams of being the French National Team's coach. I'm sure he will achieve it". 🇫🇷 #France
...now the French Federation will have to make key decision on Deschamps, looking at next World Cup - protect Didier or go with Zizou.
And leave it to the GOAT to give some wise advice to Mbappe.
Keep your head up, Kylian! Tomorrow is the first day of a new journey, @KMbappe.
— Pelé (@Pele) June 28, 2021
Mbappe took to Twitter to apologise for missing the penalty, saying it will be difficult to the turn the page but asking for the fans to support him and the squad.
— Kylian Mbappé (@KMbappe) June 28, 2021