Poland became the first team to reach the quarter-finals after knocking out Switzerland in a penalty shootout at the Geoffroy-Guichard.
Advertisement
Poland though remained on the front foot in the opening ten minutes with the Swiss slow to find their feet.
Poland should have been ahead inside 30 seconds when Swiss goalkeeper Yann Sommer bowled the ball out to Johan Djourou who passed it back across his box, only for Robert Lewandowski to pounce.
As the second half progressed, Switzerland was certainly the more attack-minded side and Haris Seferovic struck the bar.
Even though Poland dominated for most of the game, one of the most brilliant goals of the Euro 2016 came from the 82nd minute equalizer netted by Switzerland’s Xherdan Shaqiri.
“Preparing for this match, we tried to improve our penalties, and we knew they’d be taken in the best possible way”, he told the post-match press conference in quotes carried on uefa.com.
Switzerland, like Poland appearing in the knockout round of a European Championships for the first time, wasted several chances in extra time to win an entertaining clash in Saint-Etienne that finished 1-1 after 90 minutes.
While Switzerland emerged victorious at the end of the that historical encounter, they were denied the history of making it to the tournament’s quarter-finals for the first time thanks to a “horror” spot kick by Granit Xhaka.
Advert How I Increased my Manhood Size & Stopped Premature Ejaculation That Scattered My Relationship.
Poland converted all five of its spot kicks.
Vladimir Petkovic has given Poland’s players the benefit of the doubt over their inflammatory celebration at Euro 2016 but Wojciech Szczesny could not resist another opportunity to wind up Switzerland’s supporters.
The Bayern Munich striker has often cut a frustrated figure this tournament, drifting further and further from goal in order to create space for his strike-partner Arkadiusz Milik, who has one goal to his name this tournament, but could (and should) have more.
– Jakub Blaszczykowski is the first Polish player to score in consecutive games at a major tournament since Zbigniew Boniek in 1982.
Poland advance to the last eight, where they will face Croatia or Portugal.
“I think Granit is very professional and he can cope with it”, said Shaqiri.
“I’m very sad for Granit Xhaka, but it’s not just about him”, the Swiss coach said.
A rare chance fell Switzerland’s way in the 35th minute, but Fabian Schar could only head straight at Fabianski from a corner, while Blerim Dzemaili forced the keeper to tip over his crossbar with a deflected strike soon after. Their best player still hasn’t chose to show up yet. Did I know that whenever I’ve scored Poland have never lost?
Advertisement
Shaqiri is backing Xhaka to bounce back to help the Swiss qualify for, then play at, the World Cup finals in Russian Federation in two years time. “We deserved to have stayed here but unfortunately it came down to penalties and we were beaten in the lottery”.
