Spain Defeats Switzerland 2-0 to Advance to Euro 2025 Semi-Finals

In a decisive match held on July 18, 2025, the Spanish women's national football team secured their place in the semi-finals of the UEFA Women's Euro 2025 by defeating the host team, Switzerland, with a score of 2-0 at the Stadion Wankdorf in Bern. This victory marks Spain's first appearance in the semi-finals of the European Championship since 1997.

The match began with Spain dominating possession, controlling 72.3% of the ball, but struggled to convert their chances in the first half. Key opportunities were missed, including two penalties. Mariona Caldentey, after being fouled by Nadine Riesen, missed her penalty kick in the 9th minute, dragging it wide of the goal. Later, Alexia Putellas also failed to convert a penalty, sending it directly to Swiss goalkeeper Livia Peng.

After a goalless first half, Spain made crucial adjustments. Athenea del Castillo, who came on as a substitute, made an immediate impact by scoring just three minutes after entering the match, slotting the ball past Peng. Claudia Pina followed suit, netting a stunning curling strike in the 71st minute to solidify Spain's lead.

Switzerland's defense, though resilient, eventually succumbed to Spain's persistent pressure, with the Swiss team only managing four shots on goal and failing to threaten Spain significantly throughout the match. Their backline, led by Noelle Maritz, was commendable, but the lack of offensive threat ultimately sealed their fate.

Post-match, several commentators reflected on the performance. Izzy Christiansen, a former England midfielder, remarked on Spain's potential weaknesses: "Based on tonight's performance, I don’t think Spain would get to the final because France and Germany would have beaten them. They were forced into mistakes by the Switzerland shape."

Conversely, Switzerland's journey in the tournament has been noteworthy, having reached the quarter-finals for the first time. Smilla Vallotto, a Swiss midfielder, expressed pride in her team's performance despite the loss: "Of course, we are very disappointed, but we stood against them pretty well for 45-70 minutes. We tried our best, and that’s the most important."

Anita Asante, a former England defender, highlighted the foundation for future success: "Switzerland have shown a lot of heart and determination against a world-class side. This young team will bounce back and qualify for many competitions to come."

Spain will now prepare for their semi-final match against either France or Germany on July 23, 2025, with hopes of continuing their quest for their first European Championship title. The match statistics underline Spain's dominance, with 23 shots to Switzerland's 4, and an Expected Goals (xG) of 3.712 compared to Switzerland's 0.124.

As the tournament progresses, both teams will reflect on their performances, with Spain looking to sharpen their execution and Switzerland aiming to build on their promising campaign in women's football.