After a heartbreaking miss in France’s penalty shootout loss to Switzerland, Kylian Mbappe opened up on his feelings after the match.
Kylian Mbappe has apologized for missing a decisive penalty in France’s 5-4 shootout defeat to Switzerland but vowed to come back ‘stronger’ from the experience.
Two late second-half goals from Haris Seferovic and Mario Gavranovic forced the last-16 tie between France and Switzerland into extra-time upon finishing 3-3 in Bucharest. Neither side, though, scored in the additional 30 minutes. Therefore, the match was decided on a penalty shootout.
Paul Pogba, Olivier Giroud, Marcus Thuram, and Presnel Kimpembe scored from the spot to keep France on level terms until Switzerland goalkeeper Yann Sommer saved Mbappe’s effort.
Admir Mehmedi then scored the decisive fifth spot-kick for Switzerland to send the world champions crashing out of Euro 2020.
“I’m sorry about this penalty. I wanted to help the team, but I failed,” Mbappe posted on Instagram after the match on Monday.
“It’s going to be hard to sleep after this, but unfortunately these are the ups and downs of this sport that I love so much.
“The most important [thing] will be to get back up again even stronger for future commitments. Congratulations and good luck to the Swiss team.”
Deschamps and Lloris defend the striker
France boss Didier Deschamps and captain Hugo Lloris refused to blame Mbappe for his costly miss.
“Nobody can be annoyed with him,” said Deschamps on Mbappe. “When you take the responsibility, it can happen. He is obviously very affected by it.”
France goalkeeper Lloris added: “We win together, we lose together. We are all responsible for being eliminated at this stage of the competition. There is no pointing fingers.”
Switzerland, meanwhile, will next face Spain in the Euro 2020 quarter-finals in Saint Petersburg on Friday.
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