World champions Spain defeat Switzerland to reach Euro semi-finals

Spain progress to face Germany or France in the final four, despite missing two penalties against the hosts

Credit: Getty Images

Switzerland’s home-tournament run came to an end at the hands of Spain in Bern on Friday night. The world champions advance to the Euro 2025 semi-finals after beating the home nation 2-0.

The Swiss were incredibly effective at nullifying Spain’s attack, brilliantly closing down passing lanes, putting in strong clearances and showing no fear in 1v1 situations. Spain, who have been dominant in attack throughout this entire tournament, were limited to just two shots on target from a total of 12 attempts on goal in the entire first half.

Mariona Caldentey was given the opportunity to put Spain in front nine minutes into the match but shot her penalty wide. Clàudia Pina’s direct free-kick attempt was Spain’s second hope of going ahead, though Livia Peng did well to brilliantly fly across her goal to deny a stunning strike.

Pia Sundhage set up her Switzerland side to defend brilliantly, but La Nati failed to pose a threat in front of goal, even when Spain left them space on the wings to attack. Lia Wälti was Switzerland’s key player, playing three roles through the middle of the pitch. She had been tasked with marking Alexia Putellas, but she also dropped in between her centre-backs to help limit space for Spain’s key players to exploit. Alexia, Aitana Bonmatí and Patri Guijarro were unable to find their usual spaces on the edge of the box due to the press of the Swiss captain.

Athenea del Castillo knows how to score off a back heel assist, and it was the Real Madrid winger who finally broke the deadlock in the 66^th minute. Bonmatí executed a perfect flick assist from the edge of the box, finding Del Castillo alone inside the box with space to bury the opener with her first touch.

And then there was the inevitable: another Pinagol. If you see Pina with space on the edge of the box, you can start celebrating early because that ball is always being rifled into the top corner. That goal came just five minutes after Del Castillo had put Spain ahead. Alexia had the opportunity to further extend Spain’s lead in the 88^th minute but Peng had the final say in this quarter-final.