Spain beat Switzerland on penalties

Spain have beaten Switzerland on penalties to qualify for the semi-finals of Euro 2020. It was a shot from Jordi Alba, back in the starting XI, that gave Spain the lead after just eight minutes, his strike from outside of the area taking a deflection off a defender. Pedri and Sergio Busquets again started after doing so in the previous round against Croatia, while the only member of the Barça contingent who did not feature was Eric Garcia.

But although Spain led at half-time, there was plenty of drama still to come.

The brilliantly organised Swiss pushed long and hard for an equaliser and eventually got it through Xherdan Shaqiri. But there was a major boost for Spanish hopes when Freuler was red carded with just under quarter of an hour to go.

The Spanish made the extra man count by creating chance after chance, but the ball just did not want to go in, with some stunning saves from Swiss keeper Sommer the main reason for that.

Despite consistent pressure, the Swiss hung on for the rest of the game and throughout 30 minutes of extra time to send the game into penalties.

Sergio Busquets missed the first kick of the shootout, but he wouldn’t be the only player to do that. The Swiss only managed to convert one of their four kicks, and finally it was up to Mikel Oyarzábal to send Spain into the semi-finals of a major tournament for the first time in a decade.

Spain will now meet Italy, victors against Belgium, in the semi-finals.