SAINT PETERSBURG – The Spanish National Team (Timnas) confirmed themselves to the semifinals of the 2020 European Cup after defeating Switzerland on Saturday (3/7/2021) early in the morning WIB. Spain can qualify from the quarter-finals after struggling to beat Switzerland to the penalty shootout with a 3-1 victory.
In normal time, Spain vs Switzerland ended as strong 1-1. After the match went to extra time, no goals were scored and a penalty shoot-out was played.
In the penalty shootout, three Swiss players failed to execute a penalty kick. While Spain managed to enter three of the five kicks they got. As a result, Spain won over Switzerland and qualified for the semifinals of the 2020 European Cup.
The course of the match
First round
Switzerland opened the attack first early in the game. The cooperation of Breel Embolo and the midfielders almost created opportunities before being finally broken by the Spanish defenders.
The Matador team under pressure responded quickly by increasing the tempo of the game. As a result, Spain immediately took the lead through Jordi Alba’s goal in the eighth minute.
Starting from a corner kick, the ball was successfully driven away from the goal by the Swiss defenders. However, the free-standing Jordi Alba immediately fired hard from outside the penalty box.
The ball flew fast and had time to change direction when it hit one of the opposing defenders. Yan Sommer who died in a step could not save the goal from being conceded. Spain lead 1-0 over Switzerland.
Spain who managed to lead first looks more confident. They got a golden opportunity through Koke’s free kick in the 17th minute which floated thinly over the crossbar.
Not long after, it was Cesar Azlipicueta’s turn to almost double Spain’s lead if Yann Sommer had not blocked the Chelsea defender’s header. Score 1-0 for Spain’s advantage lasted until the break.
Second round
Entering the second half, it was Switzerland’s turn to threaten the Spanish back line. The slick cooperation of the Swiss forwards made it really difficult for the Matador team.
The long-awaited goal was finally created in the 68th minute through the action of Sherdan Shaqiri. No additional goals were created, so both teams had to play extra innings.
Extra Chapter
Entering the extra round, Switzerland, who played with 10 players, continued to provide tight resistance. They did not even hesitate to play out and endanger the opponent’s goal.
However, the two teams who tend to play defensively have not added goals so the match must continue to the penalty shootout.
Spain finally sealed victory over Switzerland after three of their penalties managed to get the ball into the net. While Vladimir Petkovic’s troops were only able to score one goal through their first executor, Mario Gavranovic.
The following is the line-up for Switzerland vs Spain in the Euro 2020 quarter-finals
Switzerland XI (3-4-1-2): Yann Sommer; Nico Elvedi, Manuel Akanji, Ricardo Rodriguez; Silvan Widmer, Remo Freuler, Denis Zakaria, Steven Zuber (Christian Fassnacht 90+2′); Xherdan Shaqiri (Djibril Sow 81′); Breel Embolo (Ruben Vargas 23′) , Haris Seferovic (Mario Gavranovic 82′).
Cadangan: Yvon Mvogo, Edimilson Fernandes, Djibril Sow, Gregor Kobel, Mario Gavranovic, Jordan Lotomba, Christian Fassnacht, Kevin Mbabu, Loris Benito, Ruben Vargas, Eray Comert, Fabian Schar.
Coach: Vladimir Petkovic
Spanyol XI (4-3-3): Unai Simon; Cesar Azpilicueta, Aymeric Laporte, Pau Torres, Jordi Alba; Koke, Sergio Busquets, Pedri; Ferran Torres (Mikel Oyarzabal 90 ‘), Alvaro Morata (Gerard Moreno 54’), Pablo Sarabia (Daniel Olmo 46 ‘).
Subs: Diego Llorente, Marcos Llorente, Mikel Oyarzabal, Robert Sanchez, Gerard Moreno, David de Gea, Thiago Alcantara, Rodrigo, Adama Traore, Eric Garcia, Jose Gaya, Dani Olmo.
Coach: Luis Enrique
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