Euro 2020: Mikel Oyarzabal scored the crucial penalty to give Spain a place in the semi-finals by beating Switzerland 3-1 after a 1-1 draw on penalties.
Unai Simon and Sergio Busquets celebrate Spain’s victory on penalties against Switzerland. (Reuters photo)
HIGHLIGHTS
- Spain defeated Switzerland 3-1 on penalties and advanced to the semi-finals
- Denis Zakaria’s own goal gave Spain the lead in the 8th minute
- Shaqiri’s goal in the second half paved the way for Switzerland
The pulsating action continues at Euro 2020. In a hard-fought quarter-final, Spain defeated a 10-man Switzerland 3-2 on penalties. Despite being beaten by a man, Switzerland managed a valiant performance in the extra 30 minutes, but Spain kept their nerve to position themselves in the semifinals.
Spain’s players and coaching staff ran onto the field at the Saint Petersburg Stadium, while many from Switzerland fell to their knees after Mikel Oyarzabal shot the decisive penalty to secure La Rojas a spot in the Euro 2020 semi-finals. Oyarzabal met goalkeeper Yann. Summer, who had parried in the round of 16 on penalties by France striker Kylian Mbappe with a penalty, had brought Switzerland to the quarter-finals for the first time.
Sommer had a number of saves on hand throughout the match to keep the Spaniards at bay as the Swiss drew 1-1 after extra time. The Spaniard Gerard Moreno in particular lost four chances through a bad finish or the acrobatics of summer.
Switzerland hit all five straight away against World Cup champions France, but this time failed with three out of four attempts against Spain. Spain goalkeeper Unai Simon saved the penalty from Swiss Manuel Akanji and Fabian Schar while Ruben Vargas hammered his shot over the bar.
Spain are playing against Belgium or Italy for a place in the # EURO2020 Final!
– UEFA EURO 2020 (@ EURO2020) July 2, 2021
Denis Zakaria – the substitute for Xhaka – was unlucky enough to cut the ball into his own net in the eighth minute after Jordi Alba locked a corner from the right that sailed overhead in the penalty area. Zakaria looked desperate and was comforted by his teammates as they prepared for the restart.
A defensive mix-up brought Xherdan Shaqiri the equalizer in the 68th minute when Switzerland threatened.
Spain will meet the winner of the other quarter-finals on Friday in the semi-finals in London on Tuesday – a heavyweight competition in Munich between the two preliminary round favorites Belgium and Italy.
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