What a week for football. The most surprising game came on June 25, when Switzerland faced Poland in the Round of 16. Each side had their chances, but there was the clinical bicycle kick by Xherdan Shaqiri in the 82nd minute to score for Switzerland. Poland had scored in the 32nd minute, so this was a last-minute effort from the Swiss to tie it up, and they successfully did it.
It was very apparent that Shaqiri had been struggling this tournament, having few chances and not leading his men to victory like he did at his club, Stoke City. He was able to bring the momentum in the second half as he played the ball and created chances for his teammates, but in the end, he was the one to hit this strike from distance into the back of the net.
However, Poland and Switzerland went to penalties, and it was do or die time after extra time. It was a nervey and tense time for both teams because of how far they both had come, though Poland looked like the stronger side after winning and drawing games in this competition, unlike Switzerland who would lose their first game in this competition against this strong Polish side. Lichtsteiner (the Juventus legend) was the first to convert his penalty into the net. Sommer (Switzerland's goalkeeper) guessed the right way on Milik's penalty, but was unable to save it as it went into the net.
Fabiański (Poland's goalkeeper) was unable to beat the man of the match, Shaqiri, who converted his penalty. Xhaka for Switzerland became the first player to miss their shot in the penalty shootout. Glik scored next for Poland, as Switerzland's dream of staying in the Euros edged further and further away. Schar, one of the main center backs for Switzerland, scored with finesse in the top right corner to give Switzerland some relief. Blaszczykowski (Borussia Dortmund's midfielder) scored next for Poland, making Sommer go the wrong way to score. Rodriguez scored next for Switzerland, who sent Fabiański the wrong way with a low effort into the bottom-left corner. Krychowiak was the last man for Poland to score from the spot, and he did it with Sommer's top of the net. What makes this game so special is that it is Poland's first time making to the last eight of the historical Tournament. Switzerland's drought of not making it to the last eight will now continue in their 78-year waiting period; they could have easily made it were it not for Xhaka's miss in the penalty shootout. Before the game even started, the commentary team on ESPN were talking about how Switzerland were the likely favorite to make it through to the last 8. This is why soccer/football is such a great sport. The dedication, heart and character of each player was shown in a pivotal game. And you never know what might happen in the end.