The game last night was football at its pinnacle. Unfortunately for France, they have been reduced to dust, and the Swiss have won their first competitive match against the greatest in the world.

The game went into extra time due to the competitiveness of the brawl, but it was not concluded, resulting in a shootout. The underdogs had pulled off a stunning upset by sending France packing in a penalty shootout.

For the first time in its history, Switzerland has advanced to the quarter-finals. They will play Spain in the quarterfinals to determine who advances to the semifinals of the event.

French Optimism

The game was a clash between France's best giants and the Swiss grafters, from the sumptuous magnificence of the French side to the united spirit of Switzerland. France was on the ropes early on, losing 1-0 to the Swiss thanks to Haris Seferovic's goal. Switzerland had a chance to extend their lead when the VAR made a definitive decision and handed them a penalty. Hugo Lloris, the French goalkeeper, stopped Ricardo Rodriguez's penalty kick.

The French were jolted awake by that event. The game shifted in favor of France a few minutes later. The French are unquestionably gifted in terms of flair and flamboyance, and Karim Benzema's equalizer was pure football magic.

Karim Benzema, a French forward, had been wandering the international sphere for six years. After a hiatus that lasted from 2015 to this month, he returned to the France team. His comeback to the team has gone smoothly, and the fact that he is currently France's sixth-highest scorer says a lot. He would have easily surpassed Thierry Henry's 51-goal international record by now if he hadn't been away.

France wasn't finished with the Swiss, and neither was Benzema, who capped another breath-taking move by nodding in Antoine Griezmann's cross at the far post. By the time Paul Pogba, a player who finds two gears in the blue of France, added a third with a magnificent teasing shot that drifted into the top corner, the game was already over. France will take some stopping in this mindset, but the final phases of regulation time revealed France's, Achilles Heel.

Switzerland Recovery

With only 15 minutes remaining, the Swiss were still down by three goals to one. What appeared to be an irrecoverable defeat was staring at their face. Perhaps inspired by Croatia's comeback from a 3-1 deficit against Spain earlier in the day, the Swiss responded with optimism. Before Mario Gavranovic's eventual equalizer in the final minute, Seferovic's tremendous header brought the score back to 3-2, requiring extra time.

Unlike France, which was waiting for an individual moment of brilliance, which the Swiss lacked. They were not deterred by this and worked together to make amends. They were prepared to flip the tables and turn the tide against France, and they did so.

Following Benzema's limp injury, France appeared uninspired and had to be taken out of the game. However, Bayern Munich substitute Kingsley Coman hit the crossbar before limping off. That wasn't enough to regain their enthusiasm.

The Settlement

After a lackluster extra period, the French kicked off the second half with panache, converting the first four of their penalties. Kylian Mbappe, however, was unable to follow suit, with goalkeeper Yann Sommer saving his effort. And, in a bizarre turn of events, the colossus had plummeted.