Euro 2020 Round-Up: World Cup champions France dumped out on penalties as Spain battle past Croatia
World Cup champions France were knocked out of Euro 2020 after losing on penalties to Switzerland.
Didier Deschamps’ side were seen off on penalties against the Swiss – with PSG forward Kylian Mbappe missing his effort from the spot.
His penalty was batted away by Swiss keeper Yann Sommer to hand Switzerland a famous win in Bucharest.
Kylian Mbappe's penalty is saved by Sommer and #SUI beat #FRA 5-4 on penalties. @StephenKelly_2 called it!#FRASUI#EURO2020#RTEsoccerpic.twitter.com/hRwSv2Oq6o
— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) June 28, 2021
But that was not the only bit of drama from Romania – with both teams sharing three goals apiece in a pulsating 90 minutes.
Haris Seferovic handed the Swiss a first-half before a brace from Karim Benzema put the French 2-1 up on the hour mark.
#FRA 0-1 #SUI
— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) June 28, 2021
Seferovic gives Switzerland a surprise early lead against the world champions.#FRASUI#EURO2020#RTEsoccer
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Benzema’s brace came shortly after Hugo Lloris denied Ricardo Rodriguez from the spot.
Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba then curled his effort into the top corner to make it 3-1 before a gallant Switzerland fought back.
#FRA 3-1 #SUI
Paul Pogba surely seals an impressive comeback from France with a sensational strike into the top corner#FRASUI#EURO2020#RTEsoccer
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— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) June 28, 2021
Seferovic halved the deficit in the 81st minute before Mario Gavranovic then levelled the game in injury time – with penalties the end result on a famous night for the Swiss.
Full-time: #FRA 3-3 #SUI
— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) June 28, 2021
Switzerland have done it in injury time! Gavranovic forces extra-time with a low shot into the corner.#FRASUI#EURO2020#RTEsoccer
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There was just as much drama in Copenhagen as Spain eventually won 5-3 against Croatia.
The Croats in fact took the lead thanks to a scarely believable own-goal, before they would then race into a 3-1 lead with just over ten minutes to play.
#CRO 1-0 #ESP
— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) June 28, 2021
A horrible moment for Spain's goalkeeper Simon as he lets Pedri's back-pass slip under his foot and Croatia lead.#CROESP#EURO2020#RTEsoccer
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But Croatia roared back into the contest – scoring in the 85th and 92nd minute to bring the game to extra-time.
#CRO 3-3 #ESP
— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) June 28, 2021
Croatia equalise in injury time and we will have extra-time. Pasalic after a fine cross from Orsic.#CROESP#EURO2020#RTEsoccer
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However, Spain would not wilt and they eventually pulled clear thanks to goals from Alvaro Morata and Mikel Oyarzabal to clinch their place in the last-eight.
#CRO 3-4 #ESP
— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) June 28, 2021
Alvaro Morata answers his critics with a superb finish that puts Spain back in the lead.#CROESP#EURO2020#RTEsoccer
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