Image: Yann Sommer, goalkeeper for Switzerland was the penalty shootout heroThe 2020/21 Premier League season was essentially about expecting the unexpected. This summer's Euros will be offering unpredictable twists in a similar manner.Monday's 16 last-minute ties summed it all. The first was the epic between Croatian and Spanish, with Luka Modric’s men getting up from the floor to make a last-gasp comeback. However, they eventually lost in extra-time.While Croatia was close to winning, Switzerland won, defeating France in one the most thrilling tournament games of recent years.We saw the Euros favorites at their best for a brief time, but the Swiss refused not to let up and it was Kylian Mbappe who finally slipped from the penalty spot. It was a huge upset.The Czech Republic was celebrating an unlikely victory over the Netherlands 24 hours prior. Austria, however, took Italy to extra time in their first Euros knockout match and became the surprise breakers for the Azzurri’s long streak of clean sheets.Image: Alvaro Morata played a brilliant game against Croatia for Spain.Even though the group stage format was expected to be boring, there were many dramatic matches in the final games.Maybe it's the tournament's structure, which involves teams traveling across continents, or perhaps the effect of a long, hard season on players. These competitions may have more depth or strength, or perhaps the "rub of the green" has gone the way of the underdog.No matter what the circumstances, the tournament was captivating. Every team believed they could win the ultimate prize."Expect the unexpected." Maybe that's the positive phrase anxious, pessimistic England fans should repeat before Tuesday's final-16 match at Wembley.Peter SmithFrance pays the price for Deschamps' tacticsImage: Kylian Mabappe missed France's crucial spot-kickFrance, tournament favorites, were supposed to come alive and prove to everyone why they were considered the best team at Euro 2020.We saw only the real France against Switzerland for just 30 minutes, but it was not enough. Didier Deschamps' team failed to make it to the quarter-finals of a major tournament, the first time they have been there since 2010.Although Kylian Mbappe missed the crucial spot-kick in penalty shoot-out's final round, Deschamps must take a lot of responsibility for France's poor night in Bucharest."I believed that Switzerland would be the ideal opponent to launch the French assault on tournament. They have surprised us all. I am shocked by what I have just seen in 120 minutes," Gary Neville, Sky Sports' Sky Sports' Sky Sports commentator, said on ITV. It was a disaster for France right from the beginning. They were complacent, and the system was wrong in the first half - the players had no clue what they were doing.Roy Keane was also damning. He said, "The French came in with the wrong attitude." "I am happy they were punished for that. It doesn't matter how much you have, it doesn't matter how good it is. If you don't show up with the right attitude, it's difficult to get it back.In the first 45 minutes, France appeared completely at sea. They couldn't get in the game because they were playing three back - a system that didn't suit them against Sweden or Croatia in the UEFA Nations League last Sept.We did everything we had to to get 3-1 up, but then we showed weakness which is unusual for us. A team losing on penalties is always cruel.Deschamps was forced to abandon his tactics after the poor performance. He reverted to a back four, and we got a glimpse at the France we had hoped for as Hugo Lloris' penalty save and Karim Benzema double put them on track for the quarter-finals.France's determination to win the 2018 World Cup was so impressive that they showed weakness which Switzerland capitalized on.Mbappe was unable to score at the crucial moment. However, Deschamps will be left with regrets after his hopes of winning the European Championship and the World Cup as both a player or a manager failed.Oliver YewImage: Switzerland's midfielder Granit Xhaka put on a spectacular display against FranceArsenal's leaders: This question has been asked at Arsenal for many years. But maybe they have been asking it all along in Granit Xhaka.His side defeated tournament favorites France to reach the quarterfinals for the first time since 67 years.He was extraordinary, and all of his decisions were excellent. He was the one who rallied troops before the penalties.He went toe totoe with Paul Pogba, N'Golo Kanta and won. He was brilliant in defense, but just as impressive going forward, picking up an excellent pass for Mario Gavranovic’s dramatic late equaliser. And he showed all the leadership qualities that you would expect from a captain.His only negative was a yellow ticket that meant he would be suspended from Switzerland's quarterfinal matchup with Spain on Friday. And in this form, Vladimir Petkovic will suffer a huge loss.His absence could also create a big hole at Arsenal next year. Sky Sports reported earlier this month that Roma was in advanced negotiations to transfer the midfielder to Arsenal. Although the Serie A club was believed to be within Arsenal's range of valuation (estimated to be around 21.5m (25m),) they have yet to agree a fee.Jose Mourinho, the new Roma boss, will urge his club to pay Arsenal what Arsenal wants to make the deal happen. But should the Gunners reconsider?4:45 Have a look back at Granit Xhaka's highs and lows since he signed for Arsenal in 2016.Xhaka is a beloved Arsenal player. We all know about his spat with supporters which led to his removal from the captaincy in 2019. However, Mikel Arteta could do better than convincing Xhaka that he still has a future at Arsenal.Arsenal has been begging for this man against France for years.Oliver Yew67 Switzerland reached the quarterfinals of a major tournament for the first time since 1954, when they won the World Cup. Upset Upset.Image: Alvaro Morata scored Spain’s fourth goal against CroatiaAlvaro Morata has had a difficult time with Euro 2020. The striker was booed by his fans in Spain's warm up game against Portugal. He missed several chances in their group games against Sweden, Poland, and then got a small penalty in the 5-0 victory over Slovakia.He said he was subject to a torrent online abuse after the game. He also revealed that his wife and children were targeted in Seville by angry Spain supporters. He added that he had been sleeping "sleepless nights” in recent days.However, Spain's 16th meeting with Croatia was a cathartic event.Luis Enrique strongly supported the former Chelsea striker. He described the abuse his family was subject to as a "serious offense". Spain won the match with a remarkable 5-3 victory after extra-time.He seemed to be in trouble when he smashed a free header into Croatian defender Domagoj Vida. But his brilliant goal in extra time, taken from Dani Olmo’s cross, changed everything. Spain was rocking.Three minutes later, he released Olmo from Spain's right flank. This allowed the RB Leipzig midfielder Mikel Oyarzabal to cross for Mikel Oyarzabal. He finally won the game.Morata's goal was celebrated with great joy by Spain teammates and coaches. Although his finishing is sometimes erratic, there are good reasons why he has played every game in this tournament.First, he can score goals. He scored two goals at this tournament, which means that he now has five European Championships points. This makes him Spain's joint top scorer with Fernando Torres.It is just as important to him that he does the same on the pitch. Morata is a tireless worker and gives his all on the pitch. This work ethic was evident at the Parken Stadium.The 28-year old chased down defenders and led Spain's press willingly. Aymeric Laporte was the only player to take possession on more occasions.If things don't go his way in the quarter-final, Morata's critics will be back in full force. Morata will be there, that's for sure. Morata's performance at Parken Stadium was a reminder.Nick WrightImage: Luka Modric shined in Copenhagen, but could not prevent Croatia's defeatIs Luka Modric's 142nd Croatian cap his last at a major tournament or will it?After another amazing campaign with Real Madrid, the midfielder signed a one year extension to his contract at Real Madrid. However, at 35, he may have lost his chance at silverware.Modric came so close to helping Croatia reach the World Cup final three years ago.In fact, the reverse is true.Modric was the star performer in Croatia's 3-1 victory over Scotland, which secured Croatia's spot in the knockout stages. He also shone in Monday's wild last-16 match at the Parken Stadium.He and his Croatian team-mates couldn't get the ball from their Spanish counterparts at times, but he kept them moving at 3-1 when they were losing hope.There were some brilliant passes like the one that sent Nikola Vlasic through on goal just after Pedri scored a bizarre own goal. But there were also game-changing moments such as the run-and-cut-back that set up Mislav Orsic for Croatia’s second goal.Modric left the field with a defeat, his future uncertain. However, Modric's legacy to Croatia is already extraordinary.Nick Wright
