The first-ever meeting between Spain and Switzerland in Euro Cup ended with a victory to Spain on penalties.
Switzerland vs Spain First Half
As expected with Captain Graint Xhaka’s absence the Swiss side was finding it hard to control the midfield. Spain was in total control right from the first whistle.
Just in the 8th minute, ball possession of Spain’s side paid off as Jordi Alba fired a volley towards goal from a corner kick. A heavy deflection off Zakaria wrong-footed goalkeeper Yann Sommer resulting in an own goal.
In the 23rd minute, Breel Embolo who was excellent in the previous game was forced to be substituted with a hamstring injury. Vergas replaced him as a substitute.
Switzerland vs Spain First Half
The first half ended in a 0-1 lead to Spain but it was in the second half when Switzerland changed their game plan and came out to attack.
The Swiss attack was finally converted into a goal by Xherdan Shaqiri when Pau Torres and Laporte were mixed up in the defense. The ball fell to Freuler who slid the ball to Shaqiri.
The Swiss side was back in the game!!
The Turn-around
However, the turning point in the match came in the 77th minute when Freuler was shown a soft red card by referee Michael Oliver. Switzerland was down to 10 men.
After that, it was all Spain on the attack. The Swiss side defended bravely and took the game in extra time. Swiss goalkeeper Yann Sommer made a total of 10 saves during the game. He was like a magnet especially on the extra time when Spain was pressing very very hard to find a winner which never came in 120 minutes of football.
The game went to Penaltiessss….
In the penalties
SPAIN 0 – 0 SWITZERLAND: Sergio Busquets hits the post instant advantage for Switzerland!
0 – 1: Mario Gavranovic scores with a good penalty.
1 – 1: Dani Olmo scores calmly.
1 – 1: Unai Simon guessed the right way for Fabian Schar’s poor penalty!
1 – 1: Yann Sommer saves Rodri’s poor spot-kick!
1 – 1: Manuel Akanji also missed, Unai Simon saves!
2 – 1: Gerard Moreno scores, what a brilliant Pen.
2 – 1: Ruben Vargas fires over the crossbar.
SPAIN 3 – 1 SWITZERLAND: Mikel Oyarzabal wins it for Spain!!!
Finally, Spain won the match and books the place in Semifinals. They will face the winner of Belgium and Italy in the Semis. But we have to respect the efforts of Switzerland. What a fight it was!!
