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Published: June 28, 2021 11:18 pm
Last Updated: June 28, 2021 11:25 pm
An absolutely remarkable evening of football on Monday eventually culminated in the shock of Euro 2020 thus far, as tournament favourites France were sent packing.
Swiss hold their nerve
Les Bleus returned to action a short time ago, facing off against a game Switzerland outfit in Bucharest.
Didier Deschamps’ men had not exactly set the competition alight to date, securing just five points from three group stage outings, on the back of a number of questionable performances.
None, though, could have predicted what would be forthcoming this evening.
With ten minutes of action remaining at the National Arena, France led by three goals to one, after a Karim Benzema double was added to by Paul Pogba’s stunner, cancelling out Haris Seferovic’s early opener:
É !
PAUL POGBA WHAT A GOAL!!!! #FRASUI | #ITVFootball | #Euro2020 pic.twitter.com/X2ZSJRjcop
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) June 28, 2021
Switzerland, however, simply refused to be beaten.
First, Seferovic joined Benzema in notching his brace, courtesy of another fine header. Then, just when it appeared as though France had done enough to get over the line, Mario Gavranovic grabbed an all-important 3rd, sending the clash to extra-time:
WOW. #FRASUI | #ITVFootball | #Euro2020 pic.twitter.com/5r8X5PNJsO
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) June 28, 2021
And, despite a whole host of chances, the sides could not be separated over the ensuing 30 minutes, resulting in the lottery that is a penalty shootout.
With 9 spot-kicks on the board, France and Switzerland maintained a perfect record, with fans of the former having been left to watch on through half-closed eyes, as Kylian Mbappe made his way forward to take responsibility of the 10th and final penalty.
PSG’s star man, however, saw his effort brilliantly kept out by Yann Sommer in the Switzerland net, confirming the most high-profile shock of Euro 2020 to date.
The Swiss march on to a quarter-final meeting with Spain, whilst world champions France head home with their tails firmly between their legs.
Mbappe maligned/Xhaka masterclass
On the back of the action coming to a close in Bucharest, meanwhile, it has since come as little surprise to see one player in particular widely targeted by viewers.
The man in question? Kylian Mbappe.
Penalty miss aside, the 22-year-old struggled throughout the 120 minutes, fluffing his lines from presentable positions on a whole host of occasions:
No player has taken more shots without scoring at #EURO2020 than Kylian Mbappe (12).
Six shots tonight and not a single one on target. pic.twitter.com/UBDa8FjGfr
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) June 28, 2021
Mbappe is the most overrated player going
— (@Jorgxnh0) June 28, 2021
Mbappe Vs Switzerland full highlights pic.twitter.com/3dhbsQeljB
— Wilfried (@lozaha_) June 28, 2021
France’s penalty takers
Mundebere Mbappe pic.twitter.com/D952n4vIVW— Rigoga Ruth (@rigogaruth) June 28, 2021
Knew Mbappe would miss he’s been shocking all tournament
— colin oliver (@100Magpie) June 28, 2021
Retweet if you scored the same number of goals in the Euro’s as Mbappe.
— Roy Nemer (@RoyNemer) June 28, 2021
2024 will be mbappe’s year… #FRASUI pic.twitter.com/7oetgjKbe3
— Dan smith (@dansmith883) June 28, 2021
Whilst France’s star hitman has been singled out for heavy criticism, though, on the flip-side of things is Granit Xhaka.
Arsenal’s midfield metronome was absolutely untouchable throughout the action on Monday, dictating the pace and flow of Switzerland’s attacks time and time again courtesy of pinpoint, and above all intelligent passing.
Xhaka more than held his own up against the brilliant French pairing of Paul Pogba and N’Golo Kante in the middle of the park, and even chipped in with the telling assist for Gavranovic’s equaliser.
In turn, viewers have responded in kind, with some of the social media highlights showcased below:
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
Triple the asking price for Xhaka, @Arsenal.
— Patrick Timmons (@PatrickTimmons1) June 28, 2021
Xhaka with an all-time great CM performance. Took on the best pivot in international football and matched them step for step.
— RG (@registability) June 28, 2021
Respect Granit Xhaka. What a performance ✊.#FRASUI #EURO2020 #arsenal pic.twitter.com/dxv56IWfwC
— Dr. Kelechi Anyikude (@KelechiAFC) June 28, 2021
Xhaka and Pogba tonight pic.twitter.com/nqKRntofeh
— FootballFunnys (@FootballFunnnys) June 28, 2021
Granit Xhaka appreciation tweet.
— WelBeast (@WelBeast) June 28, 2021
Xhaka went toe-to-toe with Pogba and Kante in the middle of the park.
Inspired his teammates before the penalty shootout.
Picked up the MOTM award. pic.twitter.com/KK4GTDrBNa
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) June 28, 2021
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Premier League table
| # | Team | MP | D | P |
| 1 | Leeds United | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2 | Manchester City | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 3 | Manchester United | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 4 | West Ham United | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 5 | Everton FC | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 6 | Southampton FC | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 7 | Chelsea London | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 8 | Arsenal London | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 9 | Newcastle United | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 10 | Leicester City | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 11 | Liverpool FC | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 12 | Aston Villa | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 13 | Tottenham Hotspur | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 14 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 15 | Crystal Palace | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 16 | Norwich City | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 17 | Watford FC | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 18 | Burnley FC | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 19 | Brighton & Hove Albion | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 20 | Brentford FC | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Player | Team | Goals |
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| Player | Team | Red Cards | Yellow Cards |
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| Player | Team | Assists |
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