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‘What a day’: Swiss upset France to cap magical Monday

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.

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.

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.

We’re waiting…

We concur.

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.

How was it for fans on Monday? This guy sums up the range of emotions pretty well …

With both teams combining to make the first nine penalties, it all came down to Kylian Mbappe vs. Yann Sommer.

Switzerland have done it! What a win, what a comeback, what a day of football!

France were favourites after winning the World Cup in 2018, but favourites don’t always win.

How ya feeling, Arsenal fans?

Could Zinedine Zidane replace Didier Deschamps? Stay tuned, says transfer guru Fabrizio Romano …

And leave it to the GOAT to give some wise advice to Mbappe.

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.

ESPN Premier League News

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