Poland beat Switzerland after penalty shootout

Poland controlled the match from the first whistle and created the first chance of goal after only 2 minutes when Milik lost an excellent opportunity. Switzerland got themselves into a muddle at the back and Sommer was caught out of goal, but the Poland striker couldn’t keep his attempt down and ended up blazing over the bar.

The Polish were close again on the 28th minute when from a corner, Krychowiak managed to get a free header. However, the Sevilla midfielder saw his effort flying over Sommer’s goal for a goal kick.

Milik lost another good chance after Piszczek launched a counter-attack for Poland down the right wing, with the ball eventually making its way to the back post for Milik. The Polish striker volleyed attempt on goal was again blazed over the bar.

Switzerland responded on the 35th minute as Schar headed straight at Fabianski. A Switzerland corner was whipped in from the far side, finding Fabian Schar in space. The central defender could only head the ball into the ground though, and it bounced straight up into the hands of the keeper.

Poland went in front three minutes later after Kamil Grosicki did well to break down the right. Blaszczykowski was in space on the right-hand side of the box, and the ball found him as Milik left it rolling. With just the keeper to beat, the Fiorentina man slotted the ball underneath Sommer to make it 1-0 for Nawalk’s side.

After a poor first half, Switzerland started the second half on the attack and had a good chance on the 51st minute. Shaqiri cut inside and fired an effort at the near post which was saved by Fabianski.

Poland answered two minutes later when Blaszczykowski was able to smash a powerful left-footed effort at Fabianski who managed to keep it out with difficulty.

Switzerland were denied the equaliser by Fabianski’s excellent save on the 73rd minute. Rodriguez's free-kick was heading straight for the top right-hand corner, but Fabianski stretched his right hand across his body to tip it just over the bar to keep his side ahead.

The Swiss side were unlucky again five minutes later , when this time, Seferovic was denied by the post. Embolo had a shot inside the 18-yard box, but it was blocked away. The ball then dropped to Seferovic, but his rifled effort cannoned off the crossbar.

Switzerland’s efforts paid off on the 82nd minute when Shaqiri scored what can be considered as the goal of the tournament after he sent a stunning bicycle kick into the bottom right corner to send the game to extra time.

Six minutes into the extra half an hour, Shaqiri tried an even more speculative effort than his goal, when he looked to chip over Fabianski from a tight angle on the left-hand side of the box. However, it drifted harmlessly high and wide.

Fatigue definitely effected Poland and were rescued by their goalkeeper seven minutes from time. Shaqiri showed excellent vision as he threaded a through-ball towards the head of Derdiyok, who had got in behind the defence. With just the keeper to beat, the sub got his head to the ball, but Fabianski was equal to it, parrying it away to send the game to a penalty shootout.

During penalties, Xhaka missed the decisive penalty for Switzerland and Poland won 5-4 to go through to the quarter finals against either Portugal or Croatia.

Poland starting line-up (4-4-2): Fabianski; Piszczek, Glik, Pazdan, Jedrzejczyj; Blaszczykowski, Krychowiak, Maczynski, Grosicki; Milik, Lewandowski

Switzerland starting line-up (4-2-3-1): Sommer; Lichsteiner, Schar, Djourou, Rodriguez; Behrami, Xhaka; Shaqiri, Dzemaili, Mehmedi; Seferovic.

Yellow cards

Schar (Switzerland), Jedrzejczyk (Poland), Pazdan (Poland), Djourou (Switzerland).

Referee

Clattenburg (England)