Spain enters semi-final of Euro 2020, beats Switzerland on penalties 3(1)-1(1)

Switzerland 3(1)-1(1) Spain: Spain beat Switzerland on penalties 3-1 after it finished 1-1 in normal time and qualified for the Euro 2020 semi-finals.

Zakaria’s own goal was cancelled out by Shaqiri but Vargas, Akanji and Schar missed their spot kicks as Switzerland fell short.

FIRST HALF

Spain kicked off the half and soon enough dominated possession.

Pedri and Torres linked up well down the right for Spain while Switzerland sat deep.

An unfortunate moment occurred in the 8^th minute as Spain broke the deadlock via an own goal from Denis Zakaria.

Alba received the corner from Koke, before he shot on the volley. The ball took a huge deflection off Zakaria which wrongfooted Sommer and into the net for 1-0.

The Swiss looked to get back on track but were made to sit deep and could not get the ball off Spain.

Spain continued to dominate possession as Azpilicueta had his header saved by Sommer.

Switzerland could not threaten much although they looked dangerous on the counter, without troubling Simon.

These were signs of encouragement as we reached half time with the score 1-0.

SECOND HALF

Petkovic’s men started the second half off brightly with more tempo to their game.

They almost came close with Zakaria’s header but it bounced wide of the target from Rodriguez’s cross.

La Roja continued with their possession play but struggled to find a way through Swiss’ high press.

Simon made a good stop as he denied Zuber’s shot on goal.

The consistency of the Swiss pressure was rewarded eventually as their captain, Shaqiri grabbled the equalizer with a good finish for 1-1.

A horrible mix-up between Laporte and Pau let Freuler in on goal, before he teed up for Shaqiri.

The 29-year-old kept his cool and slotted home from close range as Switzerland fought back.

Petkovic’s men were down to 10-men in the 77^th minute as Freuler was sent off for a rash challenge on Moreno.

He won the ball but his feet were high as Oliver went straight into his pocket and sent him off.

Switzerland soaked in the pressure for the remainder of the match and it ended 1-1 at full time.

It was the second time this week that these sides were forced to extra time.

Also read: Euro 2020 Quarterfinal: 5 players who can shine in Switzerland vs Spain | Check out

EXTRA TIME

1^st Half

Moreno had a great chance to send Spain 2-1 ahead but he fired his shot wide of the post from close range.

This was the chance to clinch the game but the Villareal forward could not direct his shot on target.

Spain continued to apply pressure with the extra man advantage and tested Sommer several times.

But he was up to the task with great saves off Moreno, Alba and Oyarzabal, which kept Switzerland in the game.

2^nd Half

The men in White (Spain) rallied on with the possession and restricted Switzerland.

Rodriguez made a brilliant block which denied Llorente’s shot in the box.

Olmo had a great chance but blazed his effort high over the bar as we almost reached the stage of penalty shootout.

The Rossocrociati dug deep, defended with all their might and took it to penalties.

Spain won the penalty shootout 3-1 and qualified for the semi-finals of the Euro 2020.

Olmo, Moreno and Oyarzabal scored the crucial spot kicks as Enrique’s men dumped Switzerland out of the competition.

Gavranovic was the only scorer for the Swiss.