After an anthology match in Bucharest, the France team finally surrendered on penalties against Switzerland (3-3 ap, 5-4 tab) in the round of 16 of the Euro.
A big disappointment for the Blues, one of the favorites of the competition.
Switzerland joined the quarter-finals for the first time in its history.
It is a huge blow to all the supporters of the France team. Monday night in Bucharest, the selection of Didier Deschamps finally bowed after the suspense on penalties against Switzerland (3-3 ap, 5-4 tab), and came out in the knockout stages of the Euro. A great disappointment for the Blues, one of the big favorites of the competition and looking for a World Cup-Euro double. For the Nati, this is the greatest performance in its recent history. The Helvetians climb for the first time in the quarter-finals of a European championship, after having failed in particular at Euro 2016 (eliminated against Poland), and at this same stage of the competition at the World Cup 2018 (eliminated against Sweden).
>> Subscribe to our newsletter on the Euro to not miss any of the competition
The unfortunate hero of this match is called Kylian Mbappé.
The star PSG striker failed to convert his shot on goal against Swiss goalkeeper Yann Sommer, who made a decisive save on his right.
The Swiss achieved a faultless during this session against Hugo Lloris.
The world champions therefore leave the competition prematurely.
#ClubEuro
⚽ Switzerland eliminates the French team on penalties! # FRASUIpic.twitter.com / LLBd45wNs3
- beIN SPORTS (@beinsports_FR) June 28, 2021
An end of the match spoiled by the Blues
Qualification seemed acquired for the France team ten minutes from the end of regulation time. The jewel of Paul Pogba allowed the Blues to lead 3-1, before the resounding rise of the Swiss. In the 81st, defender Kevin Mbabu went into exile on the right side and delivered a perfect cross for Swiss striker Haris Seferovic, winning his second header this time against Raphaël Varane (3-2). France conceded a new goal a few minutes later, logically refused for an offside position (85th). But in added time, on a ball lost by Paul Pogba in the middle of the field, the Swiss countered the French and equalized through Mario Gavranovic (90th), who came into play in place of Xherdan Shaqiri.
Despite a last unsuccessful attempt by Kingsley Coman on the bar (90th + 4), the France team could not avoid the extension due to its release.
An extension dominated by Switzerland on its momentum, while the Blues have sought a second wind.
In the second part, Kylian Mbappé (111th) and Olivier Giroud (119th), who entered in place of Karim Benzema, narrowly failed to tip the round of 16.
Result: penalty shootout, to the advantage of the Helvetians who managed to transform all their attempts.
The Blues can leave Bucharest with regrets.
>> Listen to Europe 1 Football Club in replay and podcast here
The failure of the device with three central defenders
It was the bet of the coach Didier Deschamps. Due to the absence of Lucas Digne and the poor physical shape of Lucas Hernandez, two left side defenders, the coach opted for a new system with three central defenders, like Switzerland, with the first appearance of Barcelona Clément. Lenglet, at fault on the opening scoring of Seferovic (15th). A risky choice that turned out to be unsuccessful, the Blues having trouble defending together, finding each other and producing play. As in the round of 16 of "his" Euro 2016, France conceded the first goal quickly, this This time in the 15th minute, on a cross from the left and a header from Swiss striker Haris Seferovic, easy on Lenglet.
The Blues have suffered many scoring chances, especially in the center or corner phases.
The tactical adjustment of Didier Deschamps, in 4-4-2 at half-time with the exit of Clément Lenglet, gave more control to the France team before his guilty release in the last moments of the meeting.
A bet, therefore, that the coach is not ready to repeat.
The strokes of genius (which were not enough): Hugo Lloris finally decisive on the penalty spot, bright Pogba
The French team resumed the second half in the same way as the first, leaving control of the game to Switzerland. A few minutes after a big situation, the Nati got a penalty after a tackle from Benjamin Pavard on Steven Zuber right side at the entrance to the penalty area. Goalkeeper Hugo Lloris achieved a feat by starting on the right side, on his right, to push back the attempt of Ricardo Rodriguez (55th). This is the first time since 2012 that the Tottenham goalkeeper has stopped a penalty with the France team. A decisive stop because it allowed the Blues to stay in the match, just before the Blues regain control thanks to the express double from Karim Benzema (57th, 59th).
Then a quarter of an hour later, the playing master Paul Pogba again made his talent speak, 25 meters from the Swiss goals.
He had already tried the strike from this distance against Portugal in the group stage, with a sensational save by Rui Patricio.
This time, the midfielder of the Blues, slightly out of balance, took advantage of a poor return from the Swiss defense to roll his ball into the left top corner of Yann Sommer (75th).
A gem that allowed France to lead by two goals, before being caught.
[⚽️ GOAL VIDEO] #FRASUI
POGBOOOOOOM!
A missile rolled up to 25 meters!
And that's 3-1 !!!
https://t.co/IGSBXhjbbP
- beIN SPORTS (@beinsports_FR) June 28, 2021
The tribute: an incredible Swiss team
We must also pay tribute to the Nati, which has perfectly succeeded in thwarting the plans of Didier Deschamps. After a successful first half, the Swiss got into the hard as Ricardo Rodriguez missed his penalty (55th), and the selection saw itself out of the competition ten minutes from the end. It was without counting on the resentment of Granit Xhaka's partners, who found the loophole twice in the last moments (despite a goal denied for an offside position) to snatch overtime.
The Nati managed to manage this extra time to take France to a penalty shootout, and not to tremble this time against Hugo Lloris. Victorious Swiss who can thank their goalkeeper Yann Sommer, determining throughout the game and during his final duel with Kylian Mbappé at the time of the penalty shoot-out. Switzerland is therefore joining the quarter-finals of the Euro for the first time in the history of this country of 8.6 million inhabitants. She will face Spain in the quarterfinals on Friday in Saint Petersburg (9 p.m.), which also had to fight to qualify against Croatia (5-3 a.m.).