cashew | OMG, Euro 2021 is nuts

So much drama! So much last minute shifts! I can't even!

First, Spain vs. Croatia: Croatia leads through a truly bizarre Spanish own goal. I can't even explain it. It was a completely normal back-pass the the goalie failed to control and tipped into his goal. The entire Spanish team clearly got thrown by the unexpected gift to their opponents. For fifteen minutes, it looked like Spain was going to collapse under their unforced error, but somehow, they clawed back a goal. In the second half, Spain finally got their shit together long enough to put in another two goals, leading Croatia 3-1. And then, in the last ten minutes of the game, Croatia scores, bringing the game to 3-2. And then, in injury time, Croatia scores once more, forcing Spain into added extra time match. Finally, Spain showed their mettle by scoring two more, winning the match at 5-3 after 120 minutes.

So, I thought, OK, that's it for today. That's a lot of drama. But no.

Following this madness was France vs. Switzerland: Everyone expects world champion France to win this, and yet, Switzerland scores at ~17 minutes with a superb header. It's not until minute 58 that France finally chases down the score and scores. Then France quickly scores two more, bringing the game to 3-1. You'd think this is it for Switzerland, but no! The Swiss scores another goal at the 80th minute, then they get a penalty. But Lloris saves the penalty! And I thought, surely, this is how things end. Yet I was wrong again as Switzerland pulled a Croatia and scores during injury time, pushing the score to 3-3 and forcing extra time. Unlike the previous Spain vs. Croatia game, the 3-3 score maintains until the end of extra time, forcing the game into penalty shoot out. Everyone, but everyone, makes their PKs in the first four rounds. Then Switzerland makes their 5th PK and it all comes down to Mbappé for France. Either Mbappé makes the shot and it goes into sudden death, or he misses and becomes the villain of the day.

He missed.

Now, needlessly to say, I was...probably more happy than I should be. Because I'm not fond of Mbappé. He's been hyped up too much for too long for how little he's brought to the game, and I, for one, hope this will finally put the hype to rest. Also, I'm happy for Spain that they get to avoid France in the next round and will have to face down Switzerland instead. All signs point to Spain should have an easier time against Switzerland, but hell, this is knock outs, anything can happen.

*cue butt clenching*

Meanwhile, in the Copa America, Messi is starting every game and getting no rest, because WTF is wrong with Argentina?