Spain 2-0 Switzerland: World champions progress despite missing two penalties
Spain had to work hard to clinch their place in the last four of Euro 2025 as they knocked out hosts Switzerland.
World champions Spain clinched their place in the semi-finals of Euro 2025 with a 2-0 win over hosts Switzerland despite missing two penalties.
The heavy favourites to add the European title to their World Cup win of two years ago, Spain had to work hard to break down a determined Switzerland defence, having wasted a golden early opportunity to do so.
Mariona Caldentey sent a ninth-minute penalty wide, and it was not until Athenea del Castillo’s 66th-minute effort that Spain’s frustration was eased.
Claudia Pina’s outstanding curling strike five minutes latter settled the tie, ensuring a last-four clash with either France or Germany.
Alexia Putellas had a chance to round off the victory late on when Spain were awarded a second spot-kick, but her powerful penalty was kept out by Livia Peng. Noelle Maritz was sent off in stoppage time for Switzerland as their journey came to an end.
Spain v Switzerland
Caldentey stunned the Wankdorf Stadium when she shot well wide of the left-hand post after being brought down by Nadine Riesen.
Ten minutes later Pina saw her free-kick kept out with a fine save by Peng, and she then dragged an effort wide after squeezing through a well-organised Switzerland backline.
Pina was the creator in the 43rd minute when her corner was met by Irene Paredes, who struck the woodwork with an unmarked header at the back post.
Esther Gonzalez headed wide from a Putellas ball to the far post, before Patri Guijarro replicated Paredes when she headed against the post having escaped the attentions of the Switzerland defence.
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Yet the pressure eventually told and Del Castillo made no mistake with a calm finish into the bottom-right corner after being sent through on goal by an exquisite backheel from Aitana Bonmati.
Pina then doubled the Spain lead when she bent into the top-right corner from 20 yards out, but Putellas did not display the same precision from 12 yards as she missed the chance to move level with Gonzalez in the race for the Golden Boot, Peng denying her a fourth goal of the tournament after Del Castillo was fouled by Iman Beney.
That gave the home crowd some reason to celebrate, though the match ended on something of a sour note for Switzerland, with Maritz shown a red card for her foul on Salma Paralluelo.