Poland became the first team to reach the quarter-finals after knocking out Switzerland via a penalty shootout at the Geoffroy-Guichard.
The contest ended 1-1 after extra time, following goals from Jakub Blaszczykowski and Xherdan Shaqiri.
Many expected a tight encounter but both teams started confidently, each enjoying large spells of possession in the opening half-hour. It was the Poles who broke the deadlock a few minutes before half time when Blaszczykowski finished off a lightning counter-attack that began with a throw from Łukasz Fabianski.
Poland looked like they would run away 1-0 winners, despite Switzerland controlling most of the second-half. Haris Seferovic came close when his effort cannoned off the crossbar, but it would took a moment of magic in the 83rd minute from Shaqiri to break a rigid White Eagles defence. The Stoke City midfielder produced the goal of the tournament so far with a fine overhead bicycle kick to beat Fabianski.
MATCH HIGHLIGHTS
Switzerland had the momentum as they pressed the Polish backline heading into extra-time. Both teams looked tired and weary during the added period – although Vladimir Petković’s side were the more of the offensive and would have grabbed the winner if it was not for the heroics of Fabianski. Poland clearly lacked the energy and looked anxious to settle the game on penalties.
It did go the way of the White Eagles who 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.
READ MORE: How Twitter reacted to Poland’s shootout win over Switzerland
Swiss will feel hard done
There is little doubting that Switzerland were the better over the course of the game. Although Poland got the breakthrough, the La Nati were more of the attacking minded side and on another day could have scored two or three. Fabianski and his defence were a class apart and will deservedly take all the plaudits for guiding the Poles to the last eight.
Switzerland were evidently desperate to prevent a penalty shootout as they pushed for a winner towards the end of the 90, as well as in extra time. It will be utterly disappointing to lose out this way – but the Swiss looked their best so far in the tournament and will now look towards the future.
Poland create history again
It was the first time that either nation managed to get past the group stage in a European competition, making this game a big occasion for both countries. Poland will now go a step further as they further aim to create history.
Nawałka’s side have been far from impressive in the tournament and have only scored three goals so far, but they will not mind as long as they can progress as far as possible. It will mean so much to the players, the staff, the fans and a country as a whole, who can all be very proud of what they have achieved.
White Eagles need to be more clinical
Poland enjoyed a fantastic opening half to the game. Apart from grabbing that vital goal, they also created a lot more chances than they have in all of their group games combined.
Although, in the 10 or more opportunities that they created in the first-half, not more than two were on target. Robert Lewandowski and Arkadiusz Milik were the guilty parties for letting a number of good sights slip past them. Milik in particular had an unusually poor outing and should have undoubtedly had at least a goal to his name. Lewandowski is yet to show up in the tournament and another sub-par performance will the Bayern Munich forward no favours.
Adam Nawałka will know that his team must drastically improve if they are do well in their next game = which will surely be a tougher test as they will now either face Croatia or Portugal.
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