Spain advances to semifinal with penalty shootout win over Switzerland

After 120 minutes of play and a penalty shootout, Spain booked their ticket to the semi finals thanks to coming out ahead 3-1 in penalties. The teams finished deadlocked 1-1 after regular and extra time thanks to goals from Jordi Alba and Xherdan Shaqiri.

Spain got off to an early start when Jordi Alba opened the scoring in the 8th minute with a long-range left footed volley off a corner kick. It was eventually awarded as an own goal since it took a deflection on the way in, but it was a fantastic shot from outside the 18 from Alba.

Switzerland spent the rest of the first half trying to find an equalizer, but were unable to even log a shot on target through four shots overall. Spain also dominated possession, as expected, through the first 45 minutes with an overwhelming 71 percent.

The Swiss were able to pull one back thanks to a goal from Xherdan Shaqiri in the 68th minute after some fantastic team build-up into the attacking third. Shaqiri’s goal brought the game level as they searched for another one to jump on top of the Spanish side.

Midfielder Remo Freuler was shown a red card for a reckless tackle on Gerard Moreno nine minutes later, leaving Switzerland to try and defend Spain’s potent attack for the rest of the match with only 10 men on the field.

Despite the advantage, Spain still couldn’t find the game winner in regular time. Both teams headed to 30 minutes of extra time in hopes of avoiding a penalty shootout.

Spain’s attack didn’t let up in extra time, forcing Switzerland keeper Yann Sommer to essentially stand on his head making save after save trying to keep the Spanish side from taking the lead.

After 120 minutes of play, and with Spain peppering the Swiss goal with shots — 27 total and 10 on target — the game was forced into a penalty shootout as neither team could find the game winner in regular or extra time.

Spain will head to take on the winner of Belgium-Italy in the semifinals as it inches closer toward another Euro final.