Although they were made to work hard for it, pre-tournament favourites Spain progressed to the semi-finals of the UEFA Women’s European Championship with a 2-0 win over hosts Switzerland, who they’ve now beaten in five successive H2Hs.
With 14 goals scored in their three group games and 20+ shots attempted in each, Spain were clear favourites against the hosts, who had made it to the knockout stage of a Euros for the first time ever and became the first team in competition history to name three players aged 18 or younger in the starting XI.
The pattern of the game was set as early as the first minute as Spain moved the ball around with ease, while Switzerland were content to kick it long and out of harm’s way. Incessant Spanish pressure, particularly from Aitana Bonmati, Claudia Pina and Alexia Putellas, helped to force the Swiss into conceding an early penalty, which Mariona Caldentey won and subsequently missed, sparking pandemonium from a boisterous and partisan crowd at the Stadion Wankdorf.
A fantastic flowing move from Switzerland just before the quarter-hour had Spain back-pedalling, as did a strong run towards the box from Geraldine Reuteler, and a stunning save from Livia Peng from a Pina free-kick kept things goalless as the game approached the midway point of the first half.
A more physical showing from the Swiss began to frustrate their illustrious opponents, and though Pina’s superb dribbling was causing problems, unusually, there was no end product for a team dominating possession.
A whopping 26 touches in Switzerland’s box for La Roja without a goal was the most in a first half on record (since 2013), with Irene Paredes hitting the upright as half-time approached.
Spain – Switzerland statsFlashscoreA shot on target in the first 30 seconds after the break signalled Spain’s intent, and their brilliant movement left the Swiss chasing shadows for long periods. For all of their industry, it was becoming more difficult to break down the hosts’ two banks of four, with Reuteler putting in a magnificent shift.
A goalmouth scramble on the hour mark saw Spain hit the woodwork twice in the same move, and the pressure finally paid off on 66’ as Athenea del Castillo slid home the opener just four minutes after coming on.
Pina then picked the perfect moment to unleash a trademark curling effort into the top corner to double Spain’s lead and take the game away from their gutsy opponents.
As the Swiss chased the game, they left gaping holes all over the pitch, though Spain couldn’t add to the scoreline despite their best efforts, which included another penalty miss, this time from Putellas.
An injury-time red card for Noelle Maritz, who hauled down Salma Paralluelo, simply added to the Swiss woes. It was Spain’s seventh win from their last 11 fixtures against the Swiss, and they march on to the semi-finals, where they’ll face either France or Germany.
Despite a gallant effort, Switzerland are left to reflect on another defeat that takes the aggregate score from their last five H2Hs to an eyewatering 21-2.
Flashscore Player of the Match: Claudia Pina (Spain)