Spain triumphed over host nation Switzerland with a 2-0 victory in Bern on Friday, securing its place in the women’s Euro semi-finals for only the second time in its history.
The world champions broke through Swiss defenses with two goals in a quick five-minute span during the second half.
Substitute Athenea del Castillo netted the first goal, followed by a stunning strike from Claudia Pina, setting up a semi-final clash against France and Germany in Zurich on Wednesday.
This marked Spain’s first knockout-stage win in the women’s Euro, following several disappointments in previous tournaments, including the 2013, 2017, and 2022 quarterfinals, as well as the semifinals in 1997.
“We are thrilled to reach the semi-finals,” Athenea remarked after the match. “The team put in maximum effort, and the atmosphere was incredible—hopefully, we can replicate it.”
Despite creating numerous chances and facing some challenges in converting them, Athenea expressed pride in their eventual victory.
Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images
Spain had a promising start when Mariona Caldente earned a penalty after a reckless challenge by Nadine Rezen, but the forward’s shot hit the post.
Pina had several opportunities, yet Switzerland’s strong defense kept the score level at halftime, much to the delight of their enthusiastic fans.
Aitana Bonmaty eventually broke the deadlock in the 66th minute.
Just five minutes later, Pina extended the lead as she intercepted the Swiss captain Leah Welty’s attempt just outside the penalty area and curled a superb shot into the top corner, celebrating jubilantly.
The match continued to be tense, featuring Alexia Peteras missing a penalty for Spain and Swiss player Noel Maritz receiving a red card for a reckless challenge.
Spain became the first team in women’s Euro history to miss two penalties in a single match since Norway faced Germany in 2013.
While Spanish fans celebrated their advance to the semi-finals, Swiss supporters applauded their team’s efforts, leaving the tournament with pride after achieving their first knockout stage appearance.
After their earlier loss to Germany in the bronze medal match at the 2024 Paris Olympics, Athenea expressed eagerness for another chance against the Germans, who will face France in Basel’s first semi-final.
“Both teams are formidable. We’d love to face Germany again because of our past experience, but we’re ready to give our all against anyone,” she said.
This report uses information from Reuters, The Associated Press, and ESPN studies.
Fan Take: This victory not only marks a significant milestone for Spain in women’s football but also highlights the growing competitiveness of the sport at the international level. As more teams emerge with strong performances, fans can look forward to an exciting future filled with intense rivalries and high-stakes matches.
