0' An important game this for both sides, as the winner of the group earns the right to avoid Argentina in the round of 16. Both France and Switzerland looking strong in their openers, and this should prove to be another excellent match. No Central or South American squad to upset the European giants this time, and both teams will look to take the three points and secure their ticket to the next round.
14' The French forcing the Swiss to defend early, with a few shooting opportunities but unable to put anything on goal this far. The Swiss might be okay settling in on defense and springing the occasional counter attack with Shaqiri, but you have to think that with the fire power France has, particularly with Benzema, if you give them enough opportunities they're bound to convert.
17' And its the French who open the scoring with a brilliant goal on a header from a corner kick by Giroud. He makes a late run but gets a good head to it. The Swiss keeper able to get a hand to it and push it wide, but not quite wide enough as it hits the upright and bounces back into goal.
18' A minute later its the French again! 2-0 to France in a matter of seconds. Its a pall given up in midfield by the swiss on a horrible backpass, and Benzema finds Matuidi making a run and he slots it past the keeper on the near side of the post. What a sensation couple of minutes, France making the Swiss pay for their small mistake, and the Swiss have to play with urgency now.
27' Oh a Swiss goal is disallowed for off sides. Its a free kick that comes, but the rebound goes out to a Swiss player who shoots it back in, a deflection then sends the ball on to another Swiss forward who half volleys it in, but from an onside position. The Swiss doing well to put the pressure in attack on the French, and still plenty of time to come back, although they'd like to at least have one before the half.
29' Two minutes later another greate opportunity for the Swiss. A powerful shot from outside the box is saved but the deflection falls to Shaqiri who's shot goes just wide. What an opportunity, but the Swiss certainly looking threatening here.
31' Oh my more disaster for the Swiss, Benzema is clipped in the penalty box and a kick from the spot is awarded. A wonderful save on the thats hit low and to the left, and the rebound gets volleyed into the crossbar by Giroud. France letting Switzerland off the hook there, and will Switzerland capitalize.
40' And its three for France. A horrible half for the Swiss that they would like to forget. Its a brilliant counter attack off a Swiss corner kick that sees Giroud running unmarked down the wing, and sending in a beautiful cross for Valbuena to strike into the back of the net. The Swiss have quite the hole to dig themselves out of, and the French full of confidence now. Minutes later its nearly another for Valbuena, but a beautiful save for the Swiss keeper.
60' Dangerous times for the Swiss and the French create three golden opportunities back to back to back, capitalizing on Swiss inability to clear the ball sufficiently. Three good shots blocked or deflected, and the French haven't completely pulled the pedal off the gas. If anything, it highlight Swiss weaknesses that perhaps Honduras might be able to capitalize on, but the French looking extremely strong in attack, and showing excellent finishing, something we've seen a lot of teams struggle with in this tournament.
64' An excellent opportunity for Mehmedi as he finds himself at the end of a cross unmarked on the far side of the box, yet his first touch not a good one and he's unable to score. He'll regret that wasted oppportunity, and the Swiss need to convert everything they can to come back in this one.
67' Well its Benzema adding his name to the score sheet and its all but over for the Swiss. A good through ball finds Benzema in space, and the Real Madrid striker makes an excellent run and finishes brilliantly, half volleying the ball right through the keepers legs. That'll be good for his confidence, especially after the missed penalty, and the French piling it on here.
72' Oh my its 5 now. A beautiful ball from Benzema at the top of the box finds Sissoko open on the far side, and he slots it into the bottom corner. France just cannot miss today, and this is the best finishing by a side we've seen all tournament. Celebrations all around for France, and the Swiss completely down and out. Not out of the tournament yet, but this is one they'll want to forget and forget in a hurry.
77' France nearly with their sixth! They are finding all kinds of space in the Swiss defense, and a Valbuena shot gets blocked nicely, minutes later a Benzema shot on a rebound gets svaed nicely. This will do will to salvage some confidence for their next match for the Swiss goal keeper.
81' Well the Swiss finally with a bit of good news. They steal one back on a Beautiful free kick by Dzemaili who slots it underneath the wall and right in side the upright. A beautiful free kick, but France wont be too bothered by it. The Swiss at least happy to spoil the French keepers clean sheet, and thats a good confidence builder for them ahead of their match against Honduras.
87' Well another goal for the Swiss, an absolutely beautiful volley past the keeper off a beautiful chipped lob ball for Xhaka, but too little too late for the Swiss. More confidence for their next match though, as that was an absolutely gorgeous goal.
Final' Well, Benzema scoring again but the Final whistle had gone right before he scores an absolutely beautiful goal. It won't affect anything except his campaign for the golden boot. A night to forget for the Swiss, but the French in brilliant form. They've all but punched their ticket into the next round. The Swiss not out yet, they'll have to beat the Hondurans at the least, but they have some major holes in defense to plug first. A beautiful game that, and a brilliant display of top class finishing as the French put on a clinic.
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