It was a historic occasion for both sides as neither had ever even reached the knockout stages of a Euro finals. Indeed both Poland and Switzerland have each scored only twice in the tournament.
Advertisement
Fabianski has benefited from an injury to his former Arsenal colleague Wojciech Szczesny to start the last three games of the tournament and the Swansea City shot-stopper was in a philosophical mood regarding his elevation from the bench.
However, Poland were rewarded for creating several chances as Grosicki led the charge down the left following a Switzerland corner before picking out Blaszczykowski, all alone inside the area, to finish from close range.
The Polish backed off in the second half, allowed Switzerland back in to the game and were made to pay in the 83 minute when Shaqiri scored an incredible bicycle kick to level for the Swiss. In the 73rd minute, they missed an opportunity to score when shot ricocheted off the bar.
With eight minutes left, Xherdan Shaqiri produced one of the goals of Euro 2016 with a sensational scissors kick that gave goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski no chance at all to take the game into extra-time.
No winning goal was forthcoming and the first round of 16 tie was decided on penalties, with captain Stephan Lichtsteiner tucking away the opener for Switzerland.
Neither side could find a victor in the closing stages with some players showing signs of tiredness as referee Mark Clattenburg blew the full-time whistle to signal a period of extra-time.
Poland scored all of their five penalties, whereas Switzerland will lament what might have been after Granit Xhaka put his penalty wide to see his side crash out of the tournament.
Spectators and fans watching the world over may have been tricked into believing that this entertaining match signaled a fun day of football ahead. Gareth Bale crossed the ball that McAuley inadvertently tipped into the net.
Eventually, the victor did not arrive but Shaqiri certainly had illuminated St Etienne with his goal. Danny Ward, who remained on the bench once again in favor of Wayne Hennessey, will also be making the trip to Lille on Friday for the next match.
In the quarter finals, Poland will on Thursday take on the victor of Saturday evening’s game between Portugal and Croatia.
Whoops, sorry, fell asleep at my keyboard.
The match entered extra time and, with the score still 1:1, went to penalties. Thankfully for our collective will to live, Ricardo Quaresma headed in a ball at close range in the 117th minute, sparing us all a penalty shoot-out and sparing Portugal another early exit from an global tournament.
Lewandowski and Poland will face new Bayern teammate Renato Sanches and Portugal in the quarterfinals. Lots of Liverpool action here, with Skrtel, Can, Benteke, Origi, and Mignolet all available for selection.
Advertisement
Tomorrow the games on offer include France vs. Republic of Ireland, Germany vs. Slovakia, and Hungary vs. Belgium.
