Spain v. Switzerland: All the Drama

Switzerland’s bid to reach the semifinal of a major tournament for the first time in their history ended abruptly Friday, as they fell to Spain, 3-1 in the quarterfinals of Euro 2020, in one of the sloppiest penalty shootouts you will ever see.

Spain goalkeeper Unai Simon made two saves in the shootout, as Fabian Schaer and Manuel Akanji were unable to connect, while midfielder Ruben Vargas sailed his attempt over the crossbar.

“I’m really proud of the team,” Swiss midfielder Xherdan Shaqiri told ESPN. “Penalties are a bit 50-50, and I was nervous watching the shoot-out. I think we just lacked a little bit of luck today.”

Yan Sommer, who was the hero in Switzerland’s round of 16 victory over defending world champion France, turned in an otherworldly performance, making eight saves in extra time and keeping his team in the hunt despite being down a man.

The Swiss played with ten men over the last 43 minutes of the match, after midfielder Remo Freuler was issued a red card for a tackle on Gerard Moreno.

La Furia Roja opened the scoring in the eight minute, when Belgian midfielder Denis Zaharia scored an own goal, courtesy of a deflected shot off the foot of Jordi Alba. From that point, Spain dominated possession to the tune of 70%, but was unable to capitalize on multiple opportunities, including 13 corner kicks, 18 shots on goal, and a one man advantage for almost 45 minutes.

Shaqiri brought Switzerland even in the sixty-eighth minute, after a lapse in the Spanish defense allowed Freuler to find Shaqiri. From there, the Swiss were in survival mode after Freuler’s expulsion, and many felt they had the advantage going into the shootout. Spain had missed its last five penalties, including two in this tournament.

Cognizant of the delicate situation his team found itself in, Spain coach Luis Enrique pulled his squad together ahead of the shootout and attempted to settle them down.

“I’d tried to convey a message that what would be, would be,” he said. “I told them to relax and to enjoy the moment as much as they could.”

After three consecutive Swiss misses, Mikel Oyarzabal stepped up and converted the winning goal, earning La Furia Roja a semifinal spot at Wembley Stadium in London.

Spain will face Italy, who beat Belgium 2-1 on Friday, on Tuesday, July 6 at 3 p.m. ET.
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