Switzerland are into the quarterfinals of the 2020 European Championship after a penalty shootout win against pre-tournament favorites France at Arena Natională (Bucureşti) on Monday night.
Switzerland had the lead through Haris Seferovic in the 15th minute before Ricardo Rodriguez missed a chance to double the advantage from the spot nine minutes into the second half.
France bounced back and led 3-1 thanks to a brace from Karim Benzema and an additional tally from Paul Pogba, but the Swiss dug deep with late goals from Seferovic again and Mario Gavranovic in the very last minute of the ninety to take the game to extra-time and a shootout which ended in disappointment for the world champions.
Kylian Mbappe took France's decisive penalty, but Switzerland goalkeeper Yann Sommer made a brilliant save to stop the PSG striker.
Super Eagles assistant coach Joseph Yobo, who was on punditry duties for South African-based sports channel SuperSport, reckons that Pogba was the star of the show despite France's elimination.
Fifteen minutes from time, the Manchester United midfielder scored the pick of the goals when he curled a right-footed effort into the top corner from 25 yards out.
Ex-Everton defender Yobo said after the game : "Look at that goal from Paul Pogba, he has been amazing in the tournament and tonight he's easily the Man of the Match.
"With this performance he couldn't see them through to the quarterfinals, it is sad to see him go".
"With this performance he couldn't see them through to the quarterfinals, it is sad to see him go".
In the last eight, Switzerland will tackle Spain at the Gazprom Arena in Saint Petersburg on Friday, July 2.
Ifeanyi Emmanuel
Photo Credit : uefa.com
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