Spain beat Switzerland on penalties to reach Euros semis

Spain's defender Jordi Alba (R) shoots to the goal past Switzerland's defender Silvan Widmer during the UEFA EURO 2020 quarter-final football match between Switzerland and Spain at the Saint Petersburg Stadium in Saint Petersburg on July 2, 2021.

Switzerland and Spain played out an epic Euro 2020 quarter-final tie on Friday evening.

Switzerland went into the game looking to pull off another giant killing.

They knocked France out of the competition earlier this week on penalties and needed to be at their very best once again to beat Spain.

It was Spain who took the lead after just eight minutes.

Jordi Alba rifled a long-range effort at goal and the ball found the net after deflecting off the unfortunately Dennis Zakaria.

Switzerland restored parity with 22 minutes after an embarrassing mix-up in defence for the Spanish.

Aymeric Laporte and Pau Torres got in each other's way and Switzerland capatlised as Xherdan Shaqiri swept the ball past Unai Simon.

Switzerland would have fancied their chances to score a winner in normal time but their momentum was crushed when they were reduced to 10-men.

Remo Freuler controversially received his marching orders after he felled Gerard Moreno.

It was a strong challenge but a red card could be considered harsh.

Spain had 13 minutes to find a winner but they could not find a way past Yann Sommer as the game went into extra-time.



Luis Enrique's side had multiple chances in extra-time but they could not find a way past the inspired Switzerland goalkeeper.

Moreno inexplicably missed the target from just six yards, while Sommer made terrific saves to keep out Alba, Moreno and Mikel Oyarzabal.

Spain continued to throw absolutely everything at Switzerland but they just couldn't find a winner.

The match trundled all the way to penalties, which went as follows:

1. MISS - Spain 0-0 Switzerland (Sergio Busquets)

2. GOAL - Spain 0-1 Switzerland (Mario Gavranović)

3. GOAL - Spain 1-1 Switzerland (Dani Olmo)

4. MISS - Spain 1-1 Switzerland (Fabian Schär)

5. MISS - Spain 1-1 Switzerland (Rodri)

6. MISS - Spain 1-1 Switzerland (Manuel Akanji)

7. GOAL - Spain 2-1 Switzerland (Gerard Moreno)

8. MISS - Spain 2-1 Switzerland (Ruben Vargas)

9. GOAL - Spain 3-1 Switzerland (Mikel Oyarzabal)

Switzerland gave it their all, but it was Spain who won on penalties and progressed to the semi-finals.



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