Women’s EURO: Spain end dream run of Switzerland to enter semifinals

LONDON: Athenea del Castillo came off the bench to open the scoring, and Claudia Pina added a superb second as Spain beat host Switzerland 2-0 on Friday to reach the 2025 Women’s Euro semifinals.

For the best part of an hour, the Swiss defended doggedly and attacked on the break, but once Spain found its groove, it was able to kill the game off quickly.

Spain looked to have made the perfect start when a rash challenge by Nadine Riesen upended Mariona Caldentey, but having opted to take the spot-kick herself, the forward rolled it wide of the post.

Pina had several chances for Spain, but stout defending by the host side saw it go in level at the break, much to the delight of the raucous home crowd.

It took a moment of brilliance from Bonmati to break the deadlock for the world champion in the 66th minute, teeing up Athenea with an instinctive back-heel for the substitute to guide the ball past Swiss keeper Livia Peng.

Five minutes later, Pina doubled her side’s advantage as Switzerland captain Lia Waelti was dispossessed just outside her own penalty area, and Pina curled a superb shot into the top corner before wheeling away in celebration.

The drama continued right to the end, with Spain’s Alexia Putellas missing a late penalty and Switzerland’s Noelle Maritz shown a straight red card for a stoppage-time challenge.

As the Spaniards danced in a circle to celebrate advancing to the last four, the Swiss fans sang loudly in appreciation of the team, and the players bounced together in unison as the hosts exited the tournament with their heads held high, having made the knockout stages for the first time.

The Spaniards formed a guard of honour for their Swiss hosts as they left the field. They will next face the winner of the other quarterfinal between France and Germany. Agemcies

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