Greg . 5 hours ago

Spain soar into semis after second-half blitz over hosts Switzerland

Although they were made to work hard for it, pre-tournament favourites Spain progressed to the semi-finals of the UEFA Women's European Championship with a 2-0 win over hosts Switzerland, who they've now beaten in five successive H2Hs.

With 14 goals scored in their three group games and 20+ shots tried in each, Spain were clear favourites against the hosts, who possessed made it to the knockout stage of a Euros for the first time ever and became the first team in competition history to name three players aged 18 or younger in the starting XI.

The pattern of the game was set as early as the first minute as Spain moved the ball around with ease, while Switzerland were content to kick it long and out of harm’s way.

Incessant Spanish pressure, particularly from Aitana Bonmati, Claudia Pina and Alexia Putellas, assisted to compel the Swiss into conceding an early penalty, which Mariona Caldentey won and subsequently missed, sparking pandemonium from a boisterous and partisan crowd at the Stadion Wankdorf.

 A fantastic flowing move from Switzerland just before the quarter-hour possessed Spain support-pedalling, as did a strong run towards the box from Geraldine Reuteler, and a stunning save from Livia Peng from a Pina free-kick kept things goalless as the game moved toward the midway point of the first half.

A more physical showing from the Swiss started to frustrate their illustrious opponents, and though Pina’s superb dribbling was causing problems, unusually, there was no terminate product for a team dominating possession.

A whopping 26 touches in Switzerland’s box for La Roja without a goal was the most in a first half on record (since 2013), with Irene Paredes hitting the upright as half-time moved toward.

Spain - Switzerland statsBetopickA shot on target in the first 30 seconds after the shatter signalled Spain’s intent, and their brilliant movement left the Swiss chasing shadows for long periods.

For all of their industry, it was becoming more difficult to shatter down the hosts’ two banks of four, with Reuteler putting in a magnificent shift.

A goalmouth scramble on the hour mark saw Spain struck the woodwork twice in the same move, and the pressure finally paid off on 66’ as Athenea del Castillo slid home the opener just four minutes after coming on.

Pina then picked the perfect moment to unleash a trademark curling effort into the top corner to double Spain’s lead and take the game away from their gutsy opponents.

As the Swiss chased the game, they left gaping holes all over the pitch, though Spain couldn’t add to the scoreline despite their best efforts, which contained another penalty miss, this time from Putellas.

An injury-time red card for Noelle Maritz, who hauled down Salma Paralluelo, simply added to the Swiss woes.

It was Spain’s seventh win from their last 11 fixtures against the Swiss, and they march on to the semi-finals, where they’ll confront either France or Germany.

Despite a gallant effort, Switzerland are left to reflect on another beat that takes the aggregate score from their last five H2Hs to an eyewatering 21-2.

Betopick Player of the Match: Claudia Pina (Spain)Check out all the match stats with Betopick.