BERN, Switzerland – Spain advances to the semi-finals of the Women’s European Championship following their first knockout game triumph. This is a remarkable achievement as the reigning world champions have never previously made it this far in the Euro competition. After overcoming a tough Swiss team, which had strong support at Wankdorf Stadium, Spain is now on track to vie for the Euro Trophy later this month.
“We cherish these moments,” said midfielder Aitana Bonmaty after the 2-0 win. “It feels like we need to win every match with a huge scoreline. Today, we showed composure, confidence, and patience. We’ve made history by reaching the last four!”
The match had its tense moments, including Mariona Caldentey’s missed penalty and hitting the woodwork three times. Until then, the Swiss side was dreaming of an upset, but two goals in five minutes from substitute Adel Castillo, who connected beautifully with Bonmaty’s back heel, secured the win for Spain.
There was still time for Alexia Putellas to miss another penalty, highlighting areas for improvement for Montse Tome’s team ahead of their semi-final in Zurich against either France or Germany on Wednesday. The game requires precision in critical moments; after all, tournament success hinges on converting chances. Spain has struggled recently with penalties, missing 12 out of 17 in the three quarterfinals, including a miss by Ada Hegerberg in Norway’s loss to Italy and nine failures in England’s match against Sweden.
If Caldentey had converted her early penalty, it might have been an easier evening for Spain. However, her miss was celebrated like a goal by the 29,734 fans, energizing the Swiss squad.
Veteran Geraldine Reuters and captain Lia Wälti fought hard, but their attempts were easily thwarted by Spanish goalkeeper Livia Peng. A palpable tension filled the stadium as both Irene Paredes and Patri Guijarro failed to score before halftime.
Tome turned to her bench, and the impact was swift. Del Castillo’s first touch in the 66th minute was a flick from Bonmatí, which she finished coolly. Pina followed with her goal five minutes later, showcasing her childhood practice skills.
Barcelona’s star had remarked earlier about practicing shooting at home, saying, “Dad tells me to just shoot all day.” Her efforts truly paid off as she curled a stunning shot into the top corner, adding to her tally for the tournament.
Putellas subsequently missed a penalty awarded to Del Castillo, and Switzerland was reduced to ten players after Noel Maritz received a red card, effectively ending their Euro journey.
Prior to the match, coach Pier Sandersi spoke of how he would emphasize “the story” of past encounters between Spain and West Germany, including a notable loss in the 2010 World Cup final and a shocking defeat of Hungary a week before in 1954.
While Sundhage’s narrative was absent of happy endings, the significance of Swiss women’s football remains substantial. The atmosphere around the game was electric, with approximately 20,000 Swiss fans turning out to support their team with a march from the Bundesplatz to the stadium.
They proudly sang the national anthem, with many remaining in the stands long after the match ended. As Spanish players honored their counterparts with applause, a large banner reading “Time to Move the Mountains” hung prominently.
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Coach Sanderj expressed disappointment at the defeat, citing the team’s strong spirit in the locker room and the electric atmosphere during the first half. “Spain is the world champion. We gave it our all, which is what matters most. I’m very proud of Switzerland. The crowd showed up in incredible numbers and the energy was unforgettable,” she reflected.
“I feel like we’re on the verge of something big. Although we lost, I’m confident the positive energy surrounding women’s football will continue to grow. Some players are understandably upset, but with time, we’ll recognize how far we’ve come.”
Spain’s journey continues, and as they look ahead, they are writing more chapters in their history, with much at stake on Wednesday.
Fan Take: This match not only highlights Spain’s growing dominance in women’s soccer but also showcases the rising popularity and support for women’s football in Switzerland. The intense atmosphere and large turnouts signal that women’s soccer is gaining traction, promising exciting developments for the sport’s future.
