BUCHAREST, Romania (AP) — Winning the toughest group at the European Championship wasn’t really a big surprise for the World Cup champions. Winning only one match in that group was, though.
Regardless, it was still enough for France to finish first in Group F and set up a match against Switzerland on Monday in the round of 16.
“It’s a different context,” France coach Didier Deschamps said. “Now, it’s like a final.”
With Kylian Mbappé, Antoine Griezmann and Karim Benzema, Deschamps has enough attacking power to deliver back-to-back major titles, something that would match the country’s achievement in 1998 and 2000.
Benzema and Mbappé swap quick passes and switch positions high up the field, with the quick-thinking and skilful Griezmann operating behind them. But none of them were able to score in the opening 1-0 win over Germany, a match decided by Mats Hummels’ own-goal.
Griezmann did get on the scoreboard in the 1-1 draw against Hungary, while Benzema scored both in the 2-2 draw against Portugal after rejoining the national squad following an exile of almost six years.
“He knows what to do for the team,” France goalkeeper Hugo Lloris said. “He brings all his experience, his talent to this French team. Of course, strikers always want to score and it increases his confidence.”
Benzema is coming off a season in which he had 30 goals for Real Madrid, and one of his previous best performances for France came in a 5-2 win over the Swiss at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. He scored one, set up another and had yet another disallowed because it crossed the line just after the final whistle.
The 22-year-old Mbappé, who scored a career-high 42 goals for Paris Saint-Germain this season, excelled at the 2018 World Cup in Russia, scoring four goals on the way to helping France win its second title at the tournament. He netted one of those goals in the 4-2 victory over Croatia in the final.
Deschamps does have some injury worries, however. He said defenders Lucas Digne and Jules Koundé, and forward Marcus Thuram “won’t be available probably.” Defender Lucas Hernández has recovered in time from a knee injury.
Switzerland has it’s own battle with history to deal with.
The Swiss are hoping to end a run of three consecutive exits in the round of 16 at major tournaments.
Switzerland captain Granit Xhaka said it’s “now or never.”
“Tomorrow is a big match, for us, for the whole Switzerland,” Xhaka said. “The team is ready to write history.”
The Swiss have not won a match in a knockout stage at any major tournament in 67 years.
Switzerland finished third in Group A with four points, advancing as one of the four best third-place teams. After a 1-1 draw with Wales and a 3-0 loss to Italy, Switzerland coach Vladimir Petkovic was under fire for what critics saw as negative tactics and a lack of creativity.
The team turned things around in the final group game, a 3-1 victory over Turkey. Xherdan Shaqiri scored two goals and Haris Seferović added the other. Winger Steven Zuber assisted on all three Switzerland goals.
Switzerland has never beaten France in a competitive game.
“We have to go beyond our limits and give 120%, hoping that France won’t show their 100%,” Switzerland coach Vladimir Petković said. “We will try to show that on the pitch tomorrow, and everything else is not important.”
In their previous encounter at Euro 2016, the Swiss held host France to a 0-0 draw in a group match.
“The pressure will be on them,” Switzerland defender Loris Benito said. “We’ll remain positive.”
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