Kylian Mbappe missed the crucial penalty on Monday as world champions France were sent packing from Euro 2020 in a shoot-out against Switzerland, who go through to a quarter-final tie against Spain after an unforgettable day of drama which featured a total of 14 goals in two games.
Switzerland had never won a knockout tie at the European Championship and had never won a shoot-out, but they triumphed 5-4 on penalties against the World Cup holders after a remarkable 3-3 draw in Bucharest.
“It is painful,” said France captain Hugo Lloris. “We are the world champions, so to go out in the last 16 is not a good result.”
Follow Scroll.in’s full coverage of Euro 2020 here
France, who came into the tournament as favourites to add the continental crown to the World Cup they won in Russia three years ago, had earlier come from 1-0 down to lead 3-1 and looked to be cruising through with Paul Pogba in fine form, only to concede two late goals.
The game in the Romanian capital followed a 5-3 extra-time win for Spain over Croatia in Copenhagen, and the 2008 and 2012 European champions will face the Swiss in the last eight in Saint Petersburg on Friday.
Somehow the drama in Bucharest topped that in Copenhagen earlier, when Alvaro Morata netted an all-important goal as Spain prevailed in extra time against the 2018 World Cup runners-up, but only after they also let slip a 3-1 lead.
Luka Modric’s Croatia came back to force the extra half-hour but that was when Morata controlled a cross and volleyed home in the 100th minute. Mikel Oyarzabal then secured Spain’s victory in what was the highest-scoring game at a European Championship since the opening match of the very first tournament in 1960, when Yugoslavia defeated hosts France 5-4.
Here are reactions to the epic day of football at Euro 2020:
What. A. Night. 🔥🔥🔥#EURO2020 #ESP #SUI pic.twitter.com/Wzju6SLr2a
— The Field (@thefield_in) June 28, 2021
— Kylian Mbappé (@KMbappe) June 28, 2021
Kylian Mbappe's response to his penalty miss 💔#EURO2020 pic.twitter.com/6kKUQQG9VO
— Goal (@goal) June 29, 2021
Keep your head up, Kylian! Tomorrow is the first day of a new journey, @KMbappe.
— Pelé (@Pele) June 28, 2021
Wow
— Rio Ferdinand (@rioferdy5) June 28, 2021
What a day of football. I’m going to have to revise my predictions now that France are out🙈 You guessed it ……. It’s coming home😂😂🏴🏴
— michael owen (@themichaelowen) June 28, 2021
It's official (in my world)
— Guillem Balague (@GuillemBalague) June 28, 2021
The best summer tournament I remember #EURO2020🏆
🤗⚽👑
Both Spain and France reached exactly a 99.2% win probability when up by 2 goals, according to ESPN's win probability model.
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) June 28, 2021
That means that the likelihood of what has transpired today (both teams not winning in 90 minutes) was .0064%. pic.twitter.com/Ui8DFS7hxj
Switzerland have reached the quarter-final of a major tournament for the first time in 67 years.#FRASUI #SUI #EURO2020 pic.twitter.com/YvNthbX7bf
— Bolarinwa Olajide (@iambolar) June 28, 2021
😥👉😆
— UEFA EURO 2020 (@EURO2020) June 28, 2021
𝗔𝗟𝗟 the emotions in just 1 minute! #EURO2020 pic.twitter.com/UYDYDUyi5l
What a game. What a tournament. What a day. What a Sommer.
— Gary Lineker 💙 (@GaryLineker) June 28, 2021
Two games, 14 goals & a penalty shootout. Wow.#CRO 1-0 #ESP#CRO 1-1 #ESP#CRO 1-2 #ESP#CRO 1-3 #ESP#CRO 2-3 #ESP #CRO 3-3 #ESP#CRO 3-4 #ESP#CRO 3-5 #ESP
— Sporting Life Football & Infogol (@InfogolApp) June 28, 2021
3.05-4.43 xG ⚽️#FRA 0-1 #SUI#FRA 1-1 #SUI#FRA 2-1 #SUI#FRA 3-1 #SUI#FRA 3-2 #SUI#FRA 3-3 #SUI
3.48-2.00 xG ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/z5fYD62u0u
Granit Xhaka’s reaction to Switzerland beating France on penalties to advance to the #EURO2020 quarter-finals tonight. 😂😂 #afc pic.twitter.com/uF8axb91IL
— afcstuff (@afcstuff) June 28, 2021
🎇 - Days with most EURO goals
— Gracenote Live (@GracenoteLive) June 28, 2021
23 June 2021 - 18 goals (4 matches)
21 June 2000 - 14 goals (4 matches)
28 June 2021 - 14 goals (2 matches) #EURO2020
but what a day of #EURO2020
— Eefje Depoortere (@sjokz) June 28, 2021
Football is one hell of a drug 👏
Monday, June 28, 2021. 🗓
— beIN SPORTS USA (@beINSPORTSUSA) June 28, 2021
THANK YOU, FOOTBALL. ⚽️❤️#EURO2020 pic.twitter.com/2jTlQaK4Dj
▶️ Two games
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) June 28, 2021
⌛️ One injury-time goal
⏳ One last-minute goal
⏱ Two extra-times
🥅 One penalty shoot-out
🔥 14 goals in total
Football was the winner today 🥵#EURO2020 #CRO #ESP #FRA #SUI
World will never forget this day of football! #EURO2020 #CROESP #FRASUI pic.twitter.com/UqV27B0aZX
— Saad Kamal (@SaadKamal99) June 28, 2021
ALL OVER FOR FRANCE. Switzerland are through after an amazing match of football! #EURO2020 pic.twitter.com/7AqSAx4TY4
— Emanuel Roşu (@Emishor) June 28, 2021
2010 - France have failed to reach the quarter-final stage of a major tournament (Euros/World Cup) for the first time since the 2010 World Cup. Shocked. #EURO2020 pic.twitter.com/F8ftmGqMTa
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) June 28, 2021
June 28th, 2021
— Goal (@goal) June 28, 2021
Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened.#EURO2020 pic.twitter.com/KjSavCVGcK
- 4 hours of football + penalty shootout.
— Rayane Moussallem (@RioMoussallem) June 28, 2021
- 14 goals (2 in extra time)
- Switzerland coming from 1-3 down to knock out France the world champions.
- Croatia scoring 2 in the last 7 mins to force extra-time against Spain.
June 28th, 2021, you will be well remembered. #Euro2020
67 – For the first time in 67 years (World Cup 1954), Switzerland have reached the quarter final of a major tournament. Upset. #FRASUI #SUI #EURO2020 pic.twitter.com/B2ShFxmkwZ
— OptaFranz (@OptaFranz) June 28, 2021
It’ll be 🇨🇭 Switzerland v Spain 🇪🇸 in the #EURO2020 quarter-finals!
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) June 28, 2021
We’ve seen that match-up just a few times over the years…🤪@rogerfederer @RafaelNadal pic.twitter.com/2uPCFYw5yK
🇪🇸 Spain = quarter-finalists! 👏
— UEFA EURO 2020 (@EURO2020) June 28, 2021
⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️ First team in EURO history to score 5 goals in consecutive games!
ℹ️ Second-highest scoring EURO game ever#EURO2020 pic.twitter.com/RwdXnQj0vL
Inputs from AFP