Spain will contest their first major tournament semi-final since 2012 despite failing to beat 10-man Switzerland after extra-time, with La Roja finally getting the job done on penalties after a 1-1 draw.
Luis Enrique’s men were dominant throughout and even had a man advantage throughout extra-time, and although their finishing left a lot to be desired, they proved more clinical from 12 yards than the Swiss.
It was a Switzerland player who provided the decisive touch to put Spain one up as Denis Zakaria scored an early own goal, but they capitalised on a defensive error to level through Xherdan Shaqiri in the second period.
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Spain could not take advantage of Remo Freuler’s contentious sending off, with Yann Sommer starring between the posts for Switzerland, but even he could not make up for his team’s profligacy from the spot as Mikel Oyarzabal converted the winning kick.
Initially Spain looked on course to cruise, as they went in front after just eight minutes when Jordi Alba saw his fierce effort take a massive deflection off Zakaria en route to goal.
Switzerland had only looked a threat from set-pieces and went very close to levelling early in the second half, as Zakaria’s header from a Steven Zuber corner flew agonisingly wide.
But Spain were their own worst enemy in the 68th minute.
Aymeric Laporte intercepted a pass but knocked the ball against Pau Torres in the process, and Freuler was on hand to tee up Shaqiri, who found the bottom-left corner through Cesar Azpilicueta’s legs.
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Freuler’s match ended soon after, however, as he was controversially shown a straight red for a tackle on Gerard Moreno that was deemed dangerous by referee Michael Oliver, and although Switzerland held on to force extra-time, the odds were stacked against them achieving anything more.
Spain peppered the Swiss goal, with Sommer making numerous vital saves and Ricardo Rodriguez producing a remarkable block to deny Marcos Llorente.
Switzerland took the game to a shoot-out and were given a positive start when Sergio Busquets hit the post, but Fabian Schar, Manuel Akanji and Ruben Vargas all failed to find the net, and Oyarzabal ensured Spain wrapped it up at the first time of asking.
Fotmob
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