Quarter final Match 1
EURO 2020
Spain vs Switzerland
Gazprom arena, St Petersburg
Zakaria 8' (OG)
Shaqiri 68'
Freuler 🟥 77'
Spain beat Switzerland in quarter final match at St Petersburg, which went on to penalties after scores stayed on level 1-1 in stipulated 90 minutes and extra time. Spain took lead in the 8th minute when Jordi Alba's shot deflected into the net from Zakaria and Swiss found equaliser in the 68th minute through Shaqiri's brilliant finish. It was Sommer who stood between Spain and win after Switzerland lost Freuler saw red and limited to 10 men. He made 10 saves, including short range efforts. He tops the liat with 21 saves in 5 matches. On the other hand, Spain move ahead giving more headache for coach Enrique. Spain will meet Italy in the Semi final on 7 July at Wembley.
As expected, Spain were dominating ever since the start. Player maker Xhaka was missing after 2 yellow cards and Swiss really missed his presence. In the first half it was 75-25 ball possession. Spain scored early from the corner. Ferran Torres dribbled through right wing, which Rodriguez cleared to corner for safety. Koke took the corner, ball came to Alba, outside box and his shot took deflection off Zakaria, who made his first start in the match. But, Switzerland managed to keep defending the entire half, without conceding another. Akanji, Rodriguez had a really good and hard match. Switzerland started 3-4-1-2 but reformed to 4-2-3-1. Swiss felt really hard to play with Spain pressing high and in numbers. They were positioned in 4-3-3. Most of the first half, ball was inside Swiss half, and they barely took a shot for goal. They got a corner in the first half but , Akanji's header was way high for hitting target.
Swiss missed Embolo in the 23' min due to thigh injury and Vargas came in. Azpilicueta header was saved by Sommer to keep the score 1-0 for half time.
In second half, Switzerland made up mind to come back to game and fight. Spain called back Morata and Gerrard Moreno came in for him. Swiss had a chance when Rodriguez cross came in and Zakaria headed it, but just wide off the target. They hit shot on target first, again attack came from left flank, Zuber gave Vargas a ball inside box, but he opted to go to near post, and Simon eventually saved it. Swis tries found the result in 68' from a defensive mistake by Spain.
A long ball was in between Pau and Laporte, and ball fell free for Freuler. His pass came for Shaqiri, whose right footed placing shot went past Simon, who couldnt do much. Third goal for him in the tournament, 26th for country in his career. Spain were looking well organised and clean in first half ,but abit shaken in the second.
But Freuler saw red for his challenge on Moreno. Shaqiri was subbed and Sow came in , and Gavranovic, who scored late equaliser in match against France, came in for Seferovic. Slowly, Spain were pushing for win but they couldnt score. Teams break after 90 minutes 1-1.
Extra time saw heroic saves from Sommer. He looked impossible to beat and was on top of his game. Close range shot from Moreno and long range effort from Alba were pushed away. Oyarzabal's curler was tipped to wide post for corner. Rodrigues blocked a clear shot on goal and Llorente missed and hit over the bar. It seemed luck was favouring Swiss.
To win, Thiago Alcantara came in in the second half of extra time. But he couldnt prevent match going to penalties.
To stun all, Sergio Busquets first kick hit the left upright and Gavranovic scored to make it 0-1.
But Olmo scored his chance but Schar couldnt score. 1-1.
Sommer stopped Rodriguez shot and gave Switzerland hope but again Akanji missed.
Spain scored both of their next kicks and secured win when Vargas hit above bar and missed Switzerland fourth kick.
Unai Simon was declared Star of the match but Sommer won hearts.
This was the first quarter final for Switzerland in Euros.
