Shaqiri’s wonder goal wasn’t enough to save Switzerland. Poland beats Switzerland on penalties.

2016 European Championship

Saint-Etienne, France.

Switzerland      1-1     Poland

                                Jakub Blaszczykowski (39’)

Xherdan Shaqiri (84’)

The first ‘Round of 16’ match in the 2016 Euro was between two nations that were playing their first knockout stage match in European Championship history.

Penalty kicks decided the match, and Granit Xhaka (Switzerland) was the only player to miss his penalty kick. Poland moves on to the quarterfinals.

The fact that Poland was yet to concede a goal in the tournament, and their performance against the world champions Germany,  made Poland the favorite amongst the two sides.

Poland started the match imposing their dominance and going for an early lead. Arkadiusz Milik missed a great opportunity to put Poland a goal up in the first minute of the second minute of the match. It would have gone down as the fastest goal in European Championship history. Switzerland warmed up to the match, but the Swiss were aware of the offensive threat that Poland possessed in Robert Lewandowski and Arkadiusz Milik.  

Kamil Grosicki run pass the Swiss defense, and his cross found Jakub Blaszczykowski alone in the far post, giving him enough time to chest down the ball and get a well-placed shot at goal.

Poland went a goal up in the 39th minute courtesy of Jakub Blaszczykowski.  

Switzerland got more comfortable after going down a goal and having nothing to protect. It was a better Switzerland side in the second half, but against Poland in the 2016 Euro, you will need a special goal to beat Poland.

Xherdan Shaqiri scored that special goal to give Poland their first conceded goal in the tournament. Shaqiri’s  over the head bicycle kick in the 84th minute is a contender for goal of the tournament.