Granit Xhaka was one of the heroes for Switzerland while Kylian Mbappe fluffed his lines as Switzerland beat France on penalties in the UEFA Euro 2020 Round of 16.
In what was yet another pulsating encounter following the thriller that Croatia and Spain had served up earlier in the day, it was Switzerland who took the lead in the first half through a Haris Seferovic header, while they kept their shape and discipline at the back to frustrate France and go into half-time with the advantage.
Post the half-time break, the Swiss had a great opportunity to double their lead as Steven Zuber was felled inside the box but the resulting penalty from Ricardo Rodriguez was saved by Hugo Lloris. This seemed to have sparked life into France, who immediately hit back as Karim Benzema equalised in the 57th minute before making it 2-1 in favour of the world champions only a couple of minutes later.
And when Paul Pogba found the back of the net with a stunning effort in the 75th minute, it seemed like Les Bleus had completed the turnaround and were headed for the next phase. Switzerland, though, had other ideas as Seferovic once again powered home a header in the 81st minute to kick off another comeback with Mario Gavranovic levelling things up on the 90th minute-mark to force the game into extra-time.
France were the team on the front foot during the added time with Benjamin Pavard forcing a save from Yann Sommer while Kylian Mbappe shot wide after being played in by Pogba as the tie went into a penalty shootout. After the first nine spot-kicks were all converted, Mbappe saw his effort saved by Sommer, leading to a huge upset win for Switzerland and a shock exit for the world champions.
Here are our player ratings from yet another thrilling encounter from the UEFA Euro 2020 Round of 16.
France
Hugo Lloris: 6/10
Kept France alive in the contest in normal time with a good save from Ricardo Rodriguez’s penalty. Not a lot he could have done to stop any of the three goals that the Nati scored while he could not stop any of the penalties during the shootout.
Raphael Varane: 6/10
Had a chance very early in the game but headed wide off the mark. Troubled early on by Seferovic and Steven Zuber on his side, booked just thirty minutes in. Maintained his discipline and did improve with time but was part of the defence that yielded a two-goal advantage in the last ten minutes.
Clement Lenglet: 5/10
A surprise starter as France opted to go in with a three-man backline, the Barcelona defender had a night to forget. Outjumped by Seferovic for the opening goal and never looked comfortable. Hooked off at half-time.
Presnel Kimpembe: 6/10
Had his fair share of problems at the back but fought valiantly. Beaten by Gavranovic for the late equalising goal, however. Dispatched his penalty calmly during the shootout.
Benjamin Pavard: 5/10
Back in the side after missing the last game, Pavard endured a difficult outing. Didn’t offer a great deal attacking-wise apart from a shot that was saved in extra-time. Prior to that, gave away a clumsy penalty which Lloris saved. Had problems coping with Zuber.
Paul Pogba: 8/10
Paul Pogba's game by numbers for #FRA vs. #SUI:
100% tackles won
92% passing accuracy
88 touches
11 ball recoveries
5/6 take-ons completed (most)
4 chances created (=most)
3 shots
3 fouls won
1 goal
0 x dribbled pastA dazzling display for his country. pic.twitter.com/fEP63Le98T
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) June 28, 2021
The best player on the pitch for France. Stunning goal to make it 3-1 in the second half which should have won it for his side. Displayed some brilliant passes throughout the contest, with his through-ball to set Mbappe up for a chance in extra-time and a volleyed pass to send Marcus Thuram in space particularly standing out. Stepped up and converted the first penalty for France in the shootout.
N’Golo Kante: 6/10
Ran about, as usual, trying to put out fires and did so on quite a few occasions. However, Kante did seem to be not hitting top gear on the night and there were times when he was very quiet.
Adrien Rabiot: 5/10
Started at left wing-back, moved into left-back post the half-time break. Never really looked convincing in the role, although one cannot fault his efforts. Did have a few positive moments on the ball but couldn’t really provide an outlet and pump in crosses into the box.
Antoine Griezmann: 7/10
Looked bright even when France were struggling to get out of the blocks. Played a crucial role in the buildup to France’s second goal of the night, which put them in front. Before that, the Barcelona man had created a couple of chances for his teammates and even had a shot drift just wide. Taken off at 3-1 for Moussa Sissoko as Didier Deschamps sought to shut up shop.
Karim Benzema: 8/10
A quiet first half when his positioning was a bit dodgy. Turned things around spectacularly after the break, leading France’s comeback with a brilliant first touch and strike for his first goal before scoring the second minutes later. Grew visibly tired as the game wore on, though.
Kylian Mbappe: 5/10
Kylian Mbappé has missed four big chances at #EURO2020, only Alvaro Morata has missed more (6). pic.twitter.com/4BrUjlrovz
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) June 28, 2021
The rating does seem a bit harsh, considering that Mbappe got the assist for Benzema’s first goal and was involved in the buildup to the second. However, the PSG superstar was guilty of spurning a great chance in extra-time to kill the tie off when he inexplicably shot wide after being sent through by Pogba, moments after he had sent another strike wide off the mark. Then missed his penalty in the shootout to hand Switzerland the win.
SUBSTITUTES
Kingsley Coman: 7/10
Livened things up in attack after replacing Lenglet at half-time leading to the change in formation. Struck the crossbar deep into stoppage time with a stunning hit when the scoreline was at 3-3. Picked up an injury but tried to soldier on and created a couple of chances before he eventually had to be taken off.
Moussa Sissoko: 5/10
On for Griezmann in the 88th minute. Provided the cross from which Coman struck the woodwork. Little of note apart from that.
Olivier Giroud: 6/10
Replaced Benzema early in the extra-time. Scuffed a good shot, striking his teammate Mbappe from a promising position. Drew a save from Sommer with a headed effort, although could have placed it better. Converted his spot-kick.
Marcus Thuram: N/A
Came on for the injured Coman for the final ten minutes of extra-time. Lively on the left, led a couple of breaks, created a chance for Giroud. Took his penalty well.
Switzerland
Yann Sommer: 8/10
Switzerland's shoot-out hero! ?
?? Yann Sommer ? #EURO2020 pic.twitter.com/tA6kQI14dq
— UEFA EURO 2020 (@EURO2020) June 28, 2021
May have shipped in three goals in normal time but Sommer couldn’t have done much to stop any of those. Came up clutch in extra-time denying Pavard and Giroud before stopping Mbappe’s penalty in the shootout to win it for his nation.
Nico Elvedi: 7/10
Had a good game for the most part as he stood up to the challenge of facing Mbappe and did quite well. His recovery pace came in handy on a few occasions.
Manuel Akanji: 7/10
Apart from the brief period of the French onslaught in the second period, Akanji was rock-solid at the heart of the Swiss backline. Kept things organised and tight at the back, especially in the first half to frustrate the world champions. Dispatched his penalty brilliantly.
Ricardo Rodriguez: 5/10
Defended solidly for the most part of his time on the pitch even though there were a few iffy moments. Poor penalty in the second half when he could have doubled Switzerland’s lead, which sees his rating cut by a point.
Silvan Widmer: 5/10
Once again preferred over Kevin Mbabu, Widmer played a part in keeping France at bay in the first half. Struggled after the break, though, as he couldn’t cope with Coman. Eventually made way for Mbabu.
Remo Freuler: 7/10
Might not possess the same amount of quality as some of his French counterparts did but made up for it with his heart and determination as he worked extremely hard to snuff out attacks and shield the backline throughout the game.
Granit Xhaka: 8/10
Granit Xhaka's game by numbers for #SUI vs. #FRA:
92% passing accuracy
17 final ⅓ entries
8/8 long balls
5 ball recoveries
3 chances created
3 fouls won
3 interceptions
2/2 through-balls
2 aerials won
2 clearances
1 block
1 assistSimply sensational. pic.twitter.com/Ae8uV2ROvj
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) June 28, 2021
Stepped up when his team needed and put in a masterful performance in the middle of the park. Worked hard off the ball to keep France away, was intelligent and precise when in possession. Set up the third goal to force the game into extra-time and continued to lead the team by example. A botched late free-kick aside, it was a fine display from the Arsenal star.
Steven Zuber: 7.5/10
Carrying on from where he left off against Turkey, Zuber showed plenty of attacking intent and purpose on the left, setting the opening goal with a lovely cross before he won the penalty which Rodriguez could not convert. Had Pavard pinned back for the course of his stay on the pitch.
Xherdan Shaqiri: 5/10
A bit of a downer for the Swiss talisman who couldn’t make a sustained impact on the proceedings despite having some nice moments with the ball at his feet. Made way for Gavranovic in the second half.
Haris Seferovic: 8/10
Two fine headers, two goals – the first to put Switzerland in front, the second to drag them back into the contest late in the game. In between that, the Swiss forward was a nuisance for the French backline with his power and physicality. Taken off in extra-time.
Two aerials won. Two goals. https://t.co/BvhFU4QcYv
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) June 28, 2021
Breel Embolo: 6.5/10
May not have been involved in any of the goals but scared the French backline good at times when he ran at them with pace. Created a chance for Seferovic early in the second half. Made way for Ruben Vargas after France’s third goal.
SUBSTITUTES
Kevin Mbabu: 6.5/10
Replaced Widmer in the 73rd minute. Fine whipped cross for Seferovic’s second goal of the night. Fared better than the man he replaced defensively as well.
Mario Gavranovic: 7/10
Came on for Shaqiri in the 73rd minute. Forced the game into extra-time with a well-taken goal in the 90th minute and set the tone for the shootouts with a fine hit from the first spot-kick.
Christian Fassnacht: 6/10
On for Zuber in the 79th minute. Worked hard during his time on the pitch to help Switzerland drag the game into penalties.
Ruben Vargas: 6/10
Replaced Embolo in the 80th minute. Positive with the ball at his feet, industrious without it. Took his penalty well.
Admir Mehmedi: 6/10
On for Rodriguez in the 87th minute. Sloppy on a couple of occasions when he gave away possession in dangerous territory. Made up for it with an absolute nerveless penalty.
Fabian Schar: 6/10
Replaced Seferovic in the first-half of extra-time. Defended well and scored his penalty in the shootout.
