ST ETIENNE, France, (Reuters) – Poland beat Switzerland 5-4 in a shootout to reach their first European Championship quarter-final as a riveting clash ended 1-1 after extra time yesterday following a brilliant late equaliser by Swiss Xherdan Shaqiri.
Grezgorz Krychowiak drilled in the winning spot-kick after Granit Xhaka had missed Switzerland’s second penalty to send the Polish fans at the Geoffroy Guichard stadium into raptures.
The Poles will meet Croatia or Portugal, who play later on Saturday, for a berth in the semis.
Jakub Blaszczykowski had given Poland a 39th-minute lead before Shaqiri levelled with a spectacular bicycle kick in the 82nd to send the contest into a dramatic climax.
“We were prepared for this kind of battle,” Poland coach Adam Nawalka said. “The Swiss are a world class side and it was no surprise that they came storming back in the second half.
“But the important thing is that my team showed potential after conceding the equaliser. We are mentally prepared for the quarter-final match in Marseille on Thursday.”
Man of the match Shaqiri, who was superb in the second half and extra time, said the goal meant little after a painful loss.
“It’s a great disappointment, we could have achieved something very big,” the 24-year old forward told a news conference.
“It was a beautiful goal and I am always proud to score for my country, but we are out.”
