Spain reached the last four of the European Championship for the third time on Friday night and beat Switzerland 3-1 on penalties after the two teams had fought to 1-1 in St. Petersburg.
It took Luis Enrique’s men just eight minutes to break the deadlock. Koke’s corner was cleared out of the area before Jordi Alba’s rasping strike deflected Denis Zakaria and sailed into a helpless Yann Sommer’s net.
Spain seemed comfortable enough for the most part, but it was Switzerland who found the next goal to equalize after 68 minutes. A prompt block by Aymeric Laporte from Pau Torres resulted in a counterattack that set Xherdan Shaqiri free through the middle, but the keeper made a spectacular diving save.
Switzerland resumed the game with their tails up, although things took a turn when Freuler was sent for an early shower. Referee Michael Oliver did not hesitate to give the midfielder a red card after a late challenge on Gerard Moreno and a quick VAR check did not help his grounds to stay on the pitch.
Spain could not take advantage of its man advantage before regular time ended, but sent a draw in extra time. La Roja dominated the goal-scoring opportunities in the extra period but did not manage to find a way past an elastic and lively Swiss side.
Shaqiri Shaqiri! ?
The # SUI skipper for the day leading from the front … but what a mistake from the # ESP defense! ? #SUIESP | #ITVFotboll | # Euro2020 pic.twitter.com/DE6fwW2bE2
– ITV Football (@itvfootball) July 2, 2021
That meant penalties, and after a series of misses from both sides, it was Mikel Oyarzabal who stepped forward to send his country on to the semi-finals of Euro 2020.
This is how both sides rated …
Nico Elvedi was strong against Spain / Alexander Hassenstein / Getty Images
Yann Sommer (GK) – 8/10 – Had no chance with the opening goal and saw, apart from his distribution, composed and stuck between the sticks – especially to make fantastic saves from Moreno and Oyarzabal in extra time. Produced even more saves in the shoot-out but they were not enough.
Silvan Widmer (RB) – 5/10 – Playing on a lighthouse forced him into the field, which gave Olmo and Alba plenty of space on the flank. Struggled to limit his threat.
Nico Elvedi (CB) – 8/10 – Live to the danger from incoming balls and always placed very well and picked up as many as 18 defensive interventions. Colossal.
Manuel Akanji (CB) – 6/10 – Kept close to his opposition and marked well, although he sometimes allowed space in dangerous areas. Provided a threat from goal play but passed a couple of presentable opportunities. Missed Switzerland third place kick.
Ricardo Rodriguez (LB) – 8/10 – Be very competent in his defensive tasks against bright Spanish wingers. Always anxious to get his foot first and won the ball back 11 times. Put his body on the line and made an incredible block in front of goal in extra time.
Denis Zakaria wins the ball before Pedri / Anton Vaganov – Pool / Getty Images
Breel Embolo (RM) – 6/10 – Started bright, pressed hard to cause problems among the Spanish defense but was unfortunately forced off after 20 minutes due to injury.
Denis Zakaria (CM) – 6/10 – Showed some excellent bursts of energy to drive upwards, although did not inject the dynamics often enough. Defended well, made six ball recoveries and was really unlucky to get an own goal awarded to him.
Remo Freuler (CM) – 6/10 – Maintained a deep position in an attempt to screen his two central defenders. Produced some nice moments to let go of the game and keep his side ticking in a progressive way and was consistently defensive and positioned well to make four ball recoveries. Managed the assist of Shaqiri’s goal thanks to energetic pressure but ruined his performance by being rejected.
Steven Zuber (LM) – 6/10 – Always a willing runner and made it good to pick and choose when he would rise, either to push his resistance or chase hopefully through balls. Helped to suffocate Spain’s right side to decent effect but had very limited impact at the other end.
Xherdan Shaqiri produced some quality / Alexander Hassenstein / Getty Images
Xherdan Shaqiri (CF) – 7/10 – Sometimes found space pockets and were light with their attempts to find runners behind and did three key passes. Finished nicely to get his page back on the same terms.
Haris Seferovic (ST) – 5/10 – Placed well in the box, constantly looking to find opportunities but very rarely received service. Maybe he should have done more to physically impose himself on Pau Torres and give an outlet for his side.
Ruben Vargas marked closely by Jordi Alba / Anton Vaganov – Pool / Getty Images
Ruben Vargas (RM) – 5/10 – Passed glimpses of his sharp attacking play and produced a key pass, but was quickly shut down in advanced areas – missed the vital penalty for his side.
Djibril Sow (CM) – 6/10
Mario Gavranovic (ST) – 6/10 – Beat home his penalty with confidence but his teammates could not replicate this time.
Christian Fassnacht (LM) – 6/10
Fabian Schar (CB) – 4/10 – Missed his spot kick with a tame effort to Simon’s right hand.
Kevin Mbabu (RB) – N / A
A moment to forget for Denis Zakaria?
A moment to remember for Jordi Alba and #ESP #SUIESP | #ITVFotboll | # Euro2020 pic.twitter.com/9mU3mP8AFU
– ITV Football (@itvfootball) July 2, 2021
Unai Simon (GK) – 8/10 – Some shaky moments – especially with the ball at your feet – but no comic own goal this time. Could not do anything about the Swiss goal and actually made a decisive save before it. Arrived in the competition when Switzerland missed their second, third and fourth penalties.
Cesar Azpilicueta (RB) – 7/10 – Remained calm and collected at the back, showed his experience and did his job with minimal hassle.
Aymeric Laporte (CB) – 6/10 – Always looked ahead and distributed the ball nicely. Also aware of runners behind, cover to see the danger on several occasions. Be careless in the mix that led to Switzerland’s goal.
Pau Torres (CB) – 5/10 – Calm enough defensively but was so uncomfortable under pressure and dropped the ball cheaply and weakly several times. Unfortunate during the construction of Shaqiri’s strike, but it only showed the fragility of his side.
Jordi Alba (LB) – 8/10 – Always pay attention to trace back as you go up to the left to make their presence count, inserting some very good crosses. Should have been assigned the goal early but in any case, his clean strike forced the opener.
Koke was creative in midfield / Alexander Hassenstein / Getty Images
Sergio Busquets (DM) – 6/10 – Sometimes it looked leggy but was as safe as ever with the ball at your feet. Constantly picked smart and progressive passes to recover the ball and keep his side ticking.
Koke (CM) – 7/10 – A temporary threat with late runs into the box and showed good creativity with four key passes, but his main impact came from death play. Delivered some real quality from corners, especially one that led to the breakthrough.
Pedri (CM) – 8/10 – Impact on most of the good things his side did, made five important passes and demonstrated his vision and movement. Worked tirelessly to make seven ball recoveries while playing brilliant balls to drive his side up and open the game.
Ferran Torres was the brightest of the first three starters / Alexander Hassenstein / Getty Images
Ferran Torres (RW) – 7/10 – Caused problems with his pace, direct running and delivery. A problem with his desire to get behind and the quality he produced with the ball at his feet.
Alvaro Morata (ST) – 6/10 – Key in moving players one more time. Dropped deep to link games well, Akanji constantly took out and created space. Spain occasionally missed a simple runner in the box to take advantage of exquisite deliveries.
Pablo Sarabia (LW) – 5/10 – Hugged the touchline again and helped spread the Swiss as far as possible. Enjoyed space on the left, but failed to use it so much and unhooked at the break.
Dani Olmo was a danger after coming on / Kirill Kudryavstev – Pool / Getty Images
Dani Olmo (LW) – 7/10 – Introduced a spark and caused panic with his traceable movement and creative edge, handled four important workouts.
Gerard Moreno (ST) – 4/10 – Somehow Alba put the needle point over the post from a couple of meters before he failed to hit Sommer up close in extra time. Wasted many opportunities after coming on.
Marcos Llorente (CM) – 7/10
Mikel Oyarzabal (RW) – 7/10 – Made the decisive penalty to send his side through the last four.
Thiago (CM) – 6/10
Rodri (CM) – 4/10 – Continued for penalty kick and missed.
