Spain ahead Athenea del Castillo got here off the bench to open the scoring and Claudia Pina added an excellent second as they beat hosts Switzerland 2-0 on Friday (July 18, 2025) to achieve the ladies’s Euro semifinals, the place they’ll face France or Germany.
For one of the best a part of an hour, the hosts defended doggedly and attacked on the break, however as soon as Spain discovered their groove they have been in a position to shortly kill the sport off with two expertly-taken objectives.
Spain appeared to have made the proper begin when Mariona Caldentey was upended by a rash problem by Nadine Riesen, however having opted to take the spot-kick herself the ahead rolled it large of the put up.
Pina had a number of possibilities for Spain however stout defending by the hosts noticed them go in degree on the break, a lot to the delight of the raucous crowd.
It took a second of brilliance from Aitana Bonmati to interrupt the impasse for the world champions within the 66th minute, teeing up Athenea with an instinctive backheel for the substitute to information the ball previous Swiss keeper Livia Peng.
Five minutes later, Pina doubled her aspect’s benefit as Switzerland captain Lia Waelti was dispossessed simply exterior her personal penalty space, and Pina curled an excellent shot into the highest nook earlier than wheeling away in celebration.
The drama continued proper to the top, with Spain’s Alexia Putellas lacking a late penalty and Switzerland’s Noelle Maritz proven a straight pink card for a stoppage-time problem.
As the Spaniards danced in a circle to have a good time advancing to the final 4, the Swiss followers sang loudly in appreciation of the staff, and the gamers bounced collectively in unison because the hosts exited the match with their heads held excessive having made the knockout phases for the primary time.
