Spain 2-0 Switzerland: World champions progress despite double penalty miss

Spain booked their spot in the semi-finals of Euro 2025 after earning a 2-0 victory over host-nation Switzerland, despite missing two penalties. 

Mariona Caldentey fired her spot-kick wide before Alexia Putellas had her effort from 12 yards repelled by Livia Peng, but it mattered little for the reigning world champions. 

Two goals in five second-half minutes from Athenea del Castillo and Claudia Pina did the damage, setting up a final four clash with either France or Germany. 

Spain had a golden opportunity to take the lead after nine minutes when Caldentey was fouled inside the box by Nadine Riesen. The Arsenal midfielder brushed herself down and took responsibility for the spot-kick, but sent her strike wide of the left post. 

Irene Paredes struck the woodwork late on in the first half where Spain had 36 touches in the opposition box, the most in a first half without a goal on record (since 2013).

Montse Tome's side continued to push for the opening goal and, on the hour, came close again when Patri Guijarro's header looped onto the post before a goalmouth scramble saw Esther Gonzalez also hit the woodwork. 

But Switzerland's defence was finally breached in the 66th minute when Aitana Bonmati's brilliant backheel pass allowed Del Castillo to coolly finish into the bottom-right corner.

Spain doubled their lead soon after when Pina curled a stunning effort into the top-right corner, though Switzerland believed that Lia Walti had been fouled in the build-up. 

Putellas had the chance to put Spain three goals in front late on from the spot after Del Castillo was caught late by Iman Beney, but Peng was equal to her fierce penalty. 

Switzerland's misery was compounded late on when Noelle Maritz was handed a straight red card after a last-player foul on Salma Paralluelo, with Spain holding on for the win.

Data Debrief: Pina defies Swiss defence

Spain accumulated a remarkable 3.71 expected goals (xG), to Switzerland's 0.12, largely thanks to Pina, who registered three shots on target in the contest. 

Pina has now scored five goals in her last six appearances for Spain in all competitions, while she is one of only three players on record since 2013 with two goals from outside the box in a UEFA Women's tournament, after Lieke Martens in 2017 and Fran Kirby in 2022.

Spain's victory saw them reach the semi-finals of the Women's Euros for the first time since 1997, while they've also won all four games at this year's edition, only one fewer than in their first four editions combined (W5 D3 L8). 

But ahead of their semi-final, they may need to practice their penalties. In Caldentey and Putellas, Spain became the first side to miss two spot-kicks in a Women's Euro's game since Norway against Germany in 2013. Overall, just 12 out of 25 penalties (including shoot-outs) have been scored at this year's tournament (48%).