SWITZERLAND’S Yann Sommer saved France striker Kylian Mbappe’s spot kick to secure a 5-4 penalty shootout win following a thrilling 3-3 draw after extra time Monday as the side advanced to the Euro 2020 quarterfinals.

Meanwhile, a thrilling 5-3 extra-time victory saw Spain reach the quarterfinals at Euro 2020 over Croatia in Copenhagen.

Goals from Pablo Sarabia, Cesar Azpilicueta and Ferran Torres canceled out an early Pedri own goal and appeared to send the Spaniards to a last-eight clash with Switzerland.

But Croatia hit back with two goals in the final minutes to force extra time where Alvaro Morata and Mikel Oyarzabal sealed the deal for the 2010 world champions.

In the first extra period, Morata put Spain back in front with a spectacular effort in the 100th minute — the much-maligned striker settling a long cross with his right foot and rocketing past Dominik Livakovic with his left from an angle.

Morata played a part in Spain’s fifth moments later. His ball down the right played in Dani Olmo who crossed for Oyarzabal to slot home from close range.

Switzerland goalkeeper Sommer, who left in the middle of the European Championship’s group stage to be with his wife for the birth of their second daughter, made the biggest save of his life against one of the best players in the world.

“I think that everything we had in us, we left out on the field,” Sommer said. “I’m unbelievably proud of this team, how we’ve done it this evening.”

Sommer, who flew back to Germany after the team’s 3-0 loss to Italy to be home when his daughter was born June 16, made the decisive save on the 10th penalty after the previous nine had all been successful.

“What an evening of football,” Sommer said. “It was our chance to finally go through the round of 16, because we never made it before. It’s incredible. We played with heart and with character. It’s amazing.”

The Swiss haven’t reached the quarterfinals at a major tournament since they hosted the World Cup in 1954. This team also ended a run of three consecutive exits in the round of 16. They were knocked out by Poland after losing a penalty shootout 5-4 at Euro 2016.

“We made history tonight,” Switzerland captain Granit Xhaka said. “We are all very proud.”

The Swiss will next play Spain in the quarterfinals in St. Petersburg on Friday.

It was the third game in the round of 16 at Euro 2020 to go to extra time but the first to be decided by penalties.

(SD-Agencies)