Poland into quarter-finals after penalty shoot-out win over Switzerland, Granit Xhaka the villain

Poland reached the quarter-finals of the European Championship for the first time in their history following a 5-4 win on penalties over Switzerland after the two sides drew 1-1 in St Etienne.

Arsenal’s new £30 million signing Granit Xhaka was the fall guy as he smashed Switzerland’s second penalty high and wide; Poland converted all five spot-kicks to go through to the last eight in France.

Poland took the lead on 39 minutes when a cross from Kamil Grosicki, fortunate to hold onto the ball during a rather messy dribble, cross found Jakub Blaszczykowski in space and he guided his shot through the legs of Yann Sommer.

Robert Lewandowski’s search for his first Euro 2016 goal continued and he was in danger of being forced off due to injury when a horrendous tackle from Fabian Schar brought the Bayern Munich striker clattering to ground. Schar was only booked.

Poland needed a fantastic save from Lukasz Fabianski to keep them in front when he charged across his line to tip over a Ricardo Rodriguez free-kick, and Haris Seferovic went even closer when rifling a shot off the bar with 10 minutes remaining.

Switzerland did have their breakthrough on 82 minutes though – and it was the goal of the tournament so far. Shaqiri, at a 90-degree angle to goal and on the edge of the box, executed a sublime bicycle kick which caught the inside of the post and pinged in, ensuring the game would end up being settled from 12 yards.

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