Spain have been made to work and missed two penalties – however ultimately broke down the resistance of hosts Switzerland because the Euro 2025 favourites received 2-0 to advance into the semi-finals.
Second-half objectives from Athenea del Castillo and Claudia Pina have been sufficient to e-book Spain’s progress within the face of a vocal house crowd, however it was laborious going at occasions.
With Switzerland enjoying of their first match quarter-final towards a aspect who scored 14 objectives of their three group video games, it seemed like a mismatch of a last-eight conflict on paper – however Spain have been annoyed for over an hour as a consequence of a wasteful efficiency in Bern.
The world champions had a golden probability to interrupt the impasse early on when Mariona Caldentey was introduced down by Nadine Riesen for a stonewall penalty.
However Ladies’s Tremendous League Participant of the Season Caldentey could have paid too shut consideration to England’s chaotic penalty shoot-out with Sweden as her spot-kick trickled shockingly vast, including extra confidence to the Swiss effort.
Regardless of Spain holding possession, Switzerland stored their opponents at bay – till the woodwork began coming to the rescue. Earlier than half-time, Irene Paredes crashed the put up from a nook, and second-half efforts from Patri Guijarro and Esther Gonzalez met the identical destiny from additional set-pieces.
As Switzerland examined Cata Coll for the primary time by Alayah Pilgrim’s shot on the break, Spain knew one thing needed to change – and the introduction of Del Castillo did the trick.
Inside minutes of approaching, the Spain No 10 had opened the scoring. An intricate Spanish transfer noticed the ahead latch on to Aitana Bonmati’s flick within the penalty space and she or he squeezed an effort previous Swiss goalkeeper Livia Peng.
Spain’s Athenea del Castillo celebrates giving Spain the lead
Six minutes later, the tie was accomplished. Lia Walti – who celebrated a Champions League remaining win with Arsenal towards many of those Barcelona-based Spain gamers two months in the past – gave the ball away beneath stress from Guijarro and as she referred to as foul, Spain referred to as time on the competition.
Pina picked up the unfastened ball in area and she or he curled a trademark end from 20 yards into the highest nook.
Spain’s Claudia Pina (left) celebrates making it 2-0
Spain thought they have been set for a 3rd aim when Del Castillo was caught late by Iman Beney within the field, however extremely Alexia Putellas – one of many gamers of the match thus far – noticed her penalty stored out by a surprising Peng parry.
It now means out of the 25 penalty makes an attempt – together with in shoot-outs – 13 haven’t resulted in objectives.
And regardless of some late hope for the Swiss after that penalty miss, they have been then decreased to 10 gamers as Aston Villa’s Noelle Maritz was dismissed for a late skilled foul on Salma Paralluelo.
That was that for Switzerland, who nonetheless managed to encourage a era of followers of their nation – the attendance of 78,407 was a report for a Ladies’s Euros quarter-final.
For Spain, it is a mouth-watering semi-final towards considered one of France or Germany subsequent week.
How the Euros quarter-finals stand
All kick-offs at 8pm BST
July 16
QF1: Norway 1-2 Italy
July 17
QF3: Sweden 2-2 England (2-3 pens)
July 18
QF2: Spain 2-0 Switzerland
July 19
QF4: France vs Germany (Basel)
What is the Euro 2025 semi-final line-up?
All kick-offs at 8pm BST
July 22
SF1: England vs Italy (Geneva)
July 23
SF2: France/Germany vs Spain (Zurich)
