Switzerland upsets France 5-4 in penalties after Kylian Mbappe misses last kick

Kylian Mbappe struggled all game and could’ve kept France alive in the penalty shootout with the 10th kick of the contest. The previous nine had all gone in, but Mbappe failed to replicate their result and Switzerland pulled off the shocker of Euro 2020 with a 5-4 victory over France in penalties. Mbappe was +260 to not score in the shooting, according to DraftKings Sportsbook.

It should’ve never come down Mbappe’s final kick but France had been on and off the entire game.

France looked dead in the water against Switzerland when Ricardo Rodriguez stepped up to take a penalty. Haris Seferovic had given the underdogs an early 1-0 lead on a header in the 15th minute and the Swiss were looking to double the advantage and truly put the world champions under pressure.

Hugo Lloris had other ideas.

The French goalkeeper came up with a great save on a questionable penalty approach and Karim Benzema struck twice in 90 seconds shortly after to give France a 2-1 lead. Benzema got a great touch on his run before pushing the ball past the Swiss keeper Yann Sommer for the first goal before putting away a header after Antoine Griezmann made a brilliant individual run and attempted to chip the keeper from across the box.

Paul Pogba looked to give France an insurmountable 3-1 lead with his amazing finish from distance but no lead was safe at Euro 2020 Monday. Just as Croatia came back against Spain, Switzerland battled back to level with France at the end of 90 minutes. Seferovic found the back of the net again on a header in the 81st minute and repeated Swiss attacks eventually paid off as Mario Gavranovic scored, making a nice move after a long through ball to slot home the equalizer. Kingsley Coman had a chance to seal the game for France late, but missed his last-second shot.

Neither team could break through in extra time, although France had two chances when Mbappe and Olivier Giroud received good passes deep in Swiss territory. Mbappe couldn’t connect well and Giroud’s header was saved by Sommer. Switzerland would’ve gladly taken penalty kicks at the beginning of the game and ultimately, that’s where this round of 16 showdown was decided.

The first nine penalties found the back of the net with no true challenge, but Mbappe’s penalty shot was saved by Sommer to send the defending world champions out of the tournament. Mbappe’s poor performance in the game wasn’t the only reason France lost, but it was the final moment in a big upset.

Switzerland will play Spain in the quarterfinals.