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#Euro2020: Mbappe penalty miss hands Switzerland victory as France crash out

Fans and pundits favourite, France, have crashed out of the Euro 2020 after a spirited performance from underdogs, Switzerland.

On the same night Spain and Croatia wowed many with a spectacular display, the French were knocked out of the competition in dramatic fashion.

Early in the game Switzerland had taken a shock lead through Haris Seferovic’s header (15), but France turned it around with a four-minute burst featuring a Hugo Lloris penalty save and Karim Benzema double (57, 59), before Paul Pogba (75) looked to have sealed it by curling a stunning shot into the top corner.

However, just like Croatia against Spain earlier in the day, Switzerland refused to lie down and produced their own comeback in the final nine minutes, with Seferovic powering in another header (81), and Mario Gavranovic (90) firing in from the edge of the box after seeing a previous strike ruled out for offside.

After a stunning 3-3 battle through 120 minutes, Mbappe saw his spot kick saved by Swiss hero Yann Sommer, giving Switzerland the 5-4 shootout victory.

And, with that victory, Switzerland knocked out the 2018 World Cup winners and this summer’s favourites, with their talismanic star the one missing on the last kick.

“[It’s] very difficult to turn the page,” the forward wrote on Twitter. “The sadness is immense after this elimination, we weren’t able to get to our objective.

“I am sorry for the penalty. I wanted to help the team but I missed. To relax will be difficult but it’s unfortunately a pitfall in the sport that I love so much.

“I know all the fans will be disappointed but even so I would thank you for your support and to always have believed in us.

“The most important is to always be stronger for the next challenges that will come.”

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