The first quarter-final of Euro 2020 takes place on Friday night when Switzerland meets Spain in St. Petersburg.
Switzerland will take part in their very last last draw at the European Championships and produce a giant kill in the eighth round to get there. Vladimir Petkovic’s side made it 3-3 against world champions France after extra time, before Yann Sommer saved Kylian Mbappe’s girl kick to secure a 5-4 victory on penalties.
Spain qualified for their first quarter-final since 2012 in a dramatic way and finished 3-3 with Croatia after an exciting 90 minutes, before two extra time goals gave them a 5-3 victory. It was the highest score at any European Championship since the first match ever in the 1960 competition.
The two sides meet in an attempt to advance to the semifinals, where a collision with either Belgium or Italy awaits them. Here is a 90 min preview of this.
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St. Petersburg Stadium will host the match / Anton Vaganov – Pool / Getty Images
When is kick off? Friday 2 July – 17:00 (BST) Where is the match played? St. St. Petersburg Stadium, St. PetersburgWhich TV channel is it on? ITV (UK), fuboTV (US)Who is the judge? Michael Oliver
The Swiss got a very hard blow during their victory over France when Granit Xhaka, who was great at night, picked up a yellow card which means that he is suspended for the quarterfinals.
Granit Xhaka is missing in the quarterfinals / Marcio Machado / Getty Images
The Arsenal man will probably be replaced by Borussia Monchengladbach’s Denis Zakaria and, apart from that, Petkovic should choose the same side that gave them their first ever 16 victory.
Luis Enrique has no new injuries after his breathtaking 16-year-old, and will probably play a fairly similar XI against Switzerland.
He has so far maintained confidence in Alvaro Morata, who has received a great deal of criticism from supporters. The Juventus man scored a brilliant goal in extra time against Croatia and will retain his place as Spain’s leading man.
Switzerland: Summer; Elvedi, Akanji, Rodriguez; Widmer, Freuler, Zakaria, Zuber; Shaqiri; Embolo, Seferovic.
Spain: Simon; Azpilicueta, Garcia, Laporte, Alba; Koke, Busquets, Pedri; Sarabia, Morata, Torres.
Spain have only ever lost once against Switzerland in their 22 previous meetings – their opening match for the 2010 World Cup which la Roja later won.
Gelson Fernandes grabs the only goal of the match when Switzerland beat Spain 1-0 at the 2010 World Cup / Jasper Juinen / Getty Images
During the 21 other meetings, the Swiss have tasted defeat 16 times and in truth, Friday’s meeting is weighed in Spain’s favor once again. Enrique’s side have given Euro 2020 after a slow start and become the tournament’s top scorer after scoring five in consecutive matches – the first side to do so at a European Championship.
Petkovic has a very well-organized and committed side, who can also comfortably hold on to the ball and build attacks at appropriate moments – even if Xhaka’s absence, their creative production can be reduced somewhat.
Against them, however, there is a free-shooting and lively side that has clearly found its rhythm. 18-year-old Pedri, who has taken the tournament by storm, will be the key in the battle – if Switzerland can not keep track of him (as few have managed to do in the past year) he will find places and start breaking through lines, open things for Spain and let them dismantle their opposition.
Pedri has been very impressive in the tournament so far / Pixsell / MB Media / Getty Images
Both teams will obviously be hungry for the result, but Spain’s quality should see them through to the last four.
Prediction: Switzerland 1-3 Spain
