By Simon Wright – Follow me on Twitter @Siwri88
Poland became the first team to book their place in the
quarter-finals of EURO 2016 after beating Switzerland on penalties in the opening
encounter of the knockout stage.
It was a scrappy contest that was lit up by the Goal of the
Tournament so far. Xherdan Shaqiri’s stunning bicycle kick eight minutes from
the end of normal time ensured this match went the distance.
Arsenal’s new recruit Granit Xhaka was the villain though
for the Swiss, skewing his spot-kick horribly wide in the shootout. Poland’s
penalties were powerful and full of panache. Grzegorz Krychowiak scored the
decisive kick, meaning they won 5-4 on penalties to advance into the last eight
for the first time in their history.
Two
different stories
Going into this match, it always looked like it was going to
be a tight contest. Poland had kept an unblemished record defensively in the
group stages, whilst the only goal Yann Sommer had let in for Switzerland was
from a Romanian penalty.
Both teams were evenly matched in the sweltering
Saint-Etienne heat with temperatures reaching 26 degrees Celsius. It was the
Poles who warmed up the quickest. They controlled the first half and deserved
their half-time lead.
Winger Jakub Blaszczykowski scored the goal six minutes
before the interval. The former skipper of the national team finished off a
clinical counter-attack which saw the Swiss central defenders horribly exposed
at the wrong end of the field.
Kamil Grosicki broke clear from Lukasz Fabianski’s throw and
via a deflection off Valon Behrami, the ball rolled to Blaszczykowski. He kept
his composure and slotted the ball between Sommer’s legs to hand Poland the
lead. It could have been more if Arkadiusz Milik had been more clinical,
blazing a shot over the bar with a gaping goal at his mercy a minute in.
Switzerland improved in the second half and seemed to have
the players with the better stamina. The lively Breel Embolo was brought on, as
was Eren Derdiyok. On 82 minutes, the pressure tolled on Poland with a goal
that you simply won’t get tired of seeing.
From the edge of the 18-yard box, Shaqiri attempted the
bicycle kick. It looked like an impossible skill. However, he connected with
the ball just perfectly and the ball flew in past Fabianski off the post. It
was a moment of true quality in a game which was always lively, but never looked
like being an all-time classic.
Frustration
for forwards
Extra time arrived and it was almost a non-event as players
went down regularly with cramp and struggled to keep going in the zapping heat.
Derdiyok had a great opportunity to win the game but his free header was clawed
out by Fabianski.
It was a frustrating day for all the forwards. For
Switzerland, Admir Mehmedi limped off injured in the second half whilst Haris
Seferovic continued to frustrate massively. He had a shocker until he was
thrown out into the wide areas on Derdiyok’s arrival. To his credit, he kept
going throughout but he was lucky to complete the two hours of football.
 |
| It was another ineffective game for Robert Lewandowski |
Penalties arrived and in truth, they were all very good but
for one exception. Xhaka took Switzerland’s second penalty but horribly sliced
it wide of the post when Fabianski dived the wrong way. If Arsene Wenger had
been watching, the message is clear, do not give Xhaka spot-kick
responsibilities next season.
The outstanding Krychowiak took the winning penalty. Sommer
guessed correct on four of the five Polish kicks, but they were simply too
good. They now advance into the quarter-finals and will play either Croatia or
Portugal in Marseille on Thursday night.
For Switzerland, they depart with a moment of unforgettable
quality from Shaqiri but it once again was a tournament they flattered to
deceive. Arguably on the day, they were the better team. It is Poland though that
progress in EURO 2016 due to better accuracy from 12 yards.
My best
three players of the match
Man of the Match: Xherdan Shaqiri (Switzerland)
Xherdan Shaqiri can either be brilliant or very bad. He was
the former in Saint-Etienne. Bossed the game in the second half and extra time
and although it will count for nothing, leaves with the Goal of the Tournament
surely in his back pocket. He didn’t deserve to be on the beaten side.
2nd: Grzegorz Krychowiak (Poland)
He is getting better with every game. Krychowiak seems to
have the energy levels of a Duracell bunny! He kept going, made tackle after
tackle and if anyone from Poland deserved to take the winning spot-kick, it was
Krychowiak. He is fast becoming not just a national hero, but an international
icon.
3rd: Kamil Glik (Poland)
Glik has another fine game at the back for Poland. He and
his central defensive partner Michal Pazdan have built a fine understanding of
trust and determination in the backline. Glik ensured it was a frustrating day
for the Swiss forwards, winning the majority of the aerial battles and scored
his spot-kick in the shootout too.
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