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SOMM OF HIS PARTS

Classy Spain keeper Unai Simon claims Switzerland goalie Yann Sommer deserves his MOTM award after Euro 2020 win

SPAIN goalkeeper Unai Simon was named man of the match by Uefa after his two penalty saves against Switzerland last night.

But the stopper reckons that opposite number Yann Sommer would have been a more deserving winner.

Simon was awarded man of the match for his shoot-out heroics
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Simon was awarded man of the match for his shoot-out heroicsCredit: Getty
Yann Sommer's masterclass couldn't prevent Switzerland's exit
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Yann Sommer's masterclass couldn't prevent Switzerland's exitCredit: AFP

Simon, 24, was the penalty shoot-out hero, saving two spot kicks to send Luis Enrique's side through.

But Sommer, 32, played a huge role in 10-man Switzerland even taking the contest that far, making a string of superb saves during the 120 minutes of action.

Speaking of his award after the match, Simon said: "Honestly, I'd have given it to Sommer."

On the contest itself, he added: "Football's been just today; we were worthy winners.

"Now, just like we had to erase the memory of that mistake in the last match, it's time to quickly forget this win because we face a tough rival in the next round.

"We have to go into the semi-final fresh, confident and with our heads high.

"We have to win the Euros now."

Enrique could only watch on as his players stepped up take their spot kicks.

Sommer denied Man City star Rodri from the spot
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Sommer denied Man City star Rodri from the spotCredit: AFP
Simon was the penalty hero for Spain
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Simon was the penalty hero for SpainCredit: AFP


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But despite Sergio Busquets stepping up and first and hitting the post, the former Barcelona boss insisted that he was calm.

He said: "It was the most relaxed penalty shootout I have experienced because everything had been worked on and I couldn't do anything else.

"What was going to be was going to be. From there, I had complete confidence in Unai and in the penalty takers. It didn't start off in the best way, but we came through.

"[Simon] had already demonstrated in the last game what he's made of, but I am so delighted for him. And I imagine his family and friends enjoyed him being the hero of the game."

Spain will take on Italy in the semi-finals at Wembley, with a potential final date with England, Ukraine, Czech Republic or Denmark to follow.

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