Euro 2020: Spain edge past 10-man Switzerland on penalties into semi-finals

SPAIN defeated Switzerland 3-1 on penalties in St Petersburg, Russia on Friday to become the first team to advance to the semi-finals of Euros 2020.

Full-time and extra-time ended 1-1 with Denis Zakaria scoring an own goal before Xherdan Shaqiri equalised for the Swiss.

Favourites Spain took the lead in the eighth minute when Zakaria inadvertently diverted Jordi Alba’s shot into his own net.

His own goal is the 10th at Euro 2020, which is now one more than were scored at the previous 15 editions of the European Championships combined (nine).

Spain took the lead into half-time and continued to have more of the ball in the second half.

However, Switzerland looked to exploit Spain’s high line without much success until the 68th minute when Shaqiri profited from a mix-up to slot past Unai Simon.

Nine minutes after their equaliser, Switzerland made life harder for themselves when Remo Freuler got himself a red card for dangerous play.

Freuler became the first player to be sent off in a European Championship quarter-final since Gheorghe Hagi in 2000.

His red card was also the sixth of Euro 2020, the most in a single European Championship since 2004.

Switzerland’s 10 men frustrated Spain throughout extra-time, with goalkeeper Yann Sommer making several saves and centre-back Manuel Akanji producing heroic tackles.

Spain however prevailed in the shootout despite missing their first kick through Sergio Busquets who hit the base of the upright.

The Spaniards will face either Belgium or Italy in the semi-finals in London on Tuesday.