Spain goalkeeper Unai Simon, who was adjudged man of the match after saving two penalties in a 3-1 shootout win against Switzerland in the Euro 2020 quarter-final, said he would have given the award to opposite number Yan Sommer.
Unai Simon would have given Yann Sommer the Star of the Match after Spain won the first QF of Euro 2020. (Reuters Photo)
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- I would have given Yan Somer the MVP: Simone
- Football has been fair, we are winners: Simon
- Spain Euro 2020. I won the shootout against Switzerland
Unai Simone saved two penalties to help Spain reach the semi-finals and win the man of the match title. He said his Swiss counterpart Yann Sommer deserves the Star Player of the Match despite Switzerland’s horrific defeat in the Euro 2020 quarter-finals.
Sommer came up with a string to keep the Spanish at bay with a diving save throughout the match as the Swiss were hanging on to a 1-1 draw after extra time. Spain’s Gerard Moreno, in particular, missed four chances with poor finishing or somersault’s acrobatics.
“Honestly? I would have given Yann Sommer the Star of the Match..,” Unai Simone said refreshingly in his approach.
“We have to go to the semi-finals fresh, confident and head high. We have to win the UEFA Euro now,” Simeone said.
Simon also detailed his post-game gatherings with manager Luis Enrique.
“I’ve come up a bit in celebration, but it’s just what my body told me to do. It was a moment of excitement.”
“Just as we had to erase the memory of that mistake in the last match, it is time to quickly forget this win as we face a tough opponent in the next match.”
Roger Federer praises Yann Sommer
Mikel Oyarzabal hit a decisive spot-kick after Gerard Moreno and Danny Olmo converted for Spain, and Sergio Busquets and Rodri lost their kicks.
Spain’s keeper Unai Simon saved from Switzerland’s Manuel Akanji and Fabian Schaar while Rubén Vargas fired his shot over the bar.
In normal time, Spain took the lead in the eighth minute when Jordi Alba’s strike took a heavy deflection from Daniil Zakaria and went into the net. It was his 10th goal of the tournament – more than all other Euros combined.
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