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Moreno, in particular, squandered four chances with poor finishing or the acrobatics of Sommer, though the striker made amends by converting one of Spain’s kicks in the shootout. A crowd made up of mostly Russian spectators was fully behind Switzerland, even to the extent of jeering Spain’s players when they had the ball. Yet a rearguard effort - requiring a string of diving saves by Sommer and a number of last-ditch blocks by sprawling defenders - kept the Spanish at bay in the extra 30 minutes that were played almost entirely in Switzerland’s half. The team is two wins away from emulating the country’s golden generation, which captured European titles in 20.Īfter the wild fluctuations of “Manic Monday,” when Spain and Switzerland won chaotic games in the round of 16 that both needed extra time and featured a combined 14 goals, their quarterfinal match was perhaps unsurprisingly a more labored affair punctuated by big moments.Īmong them was a red card in the 78th minute for Switzerland midfielder Remo Freuler, whose studs connected with the ankle of substitute Gerard Moreno in a sliding challenge. Spain will play Italy in the semifinals on Tuesday at Wembley Stadium in London. “I think we just lacked a little bit of luck today.”
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“Penalties are a bit 50-50,” said Switzerland captain Xherdan Shaqiri, who scored his team’s goal in regulation time. Fabian Schar and Manuel Akanji had shots saved by Simon, while Ruben Vargas fired the ball over the crossbar. But unlike against France, when they scored all five of their penalties in the shootout, they failed with three of their four attempts this time. “When it goes your way,” Luis Enrique said, “it feels very good indeed.” They were soon consumed by their teammates as “Y Viva Espana” blasted out from the stadium’s loudspeakers. So imagine the relief when Mikel Oyarzabal stepped up to convert the decisive spot kick past goalkeeper Yann Sommer, whose save on Kylian Mbappe’s shot in a shootout win over France got Switzerland to the tournament’s quarterfinals for the first time.Īfter seeing the ball hit the back of the net, Oyarzabal headed straight to Spain goalkeeper Unai Simon, who had made two saves in the shootout. For a team that had come into the match as the favorite and had taken an eighth-minute lead, only to see that wiped out by a defensive mistake. For a team that had squandered chance after chance in extra time as Switzerland’s energy-sapped players hung on for a 1-1 draw through extra time. and to enjoy the moment as much as they could.”Įasier said than done for a team that had missed its last five regulation penalties in matches, two of them at Euro 2020. “I’d tried to convey a message that what would be, would be,” Luis Enrique said, revealing what he’d told his team ahead of the 3-1 shootout victory over Switzerland in the quarterfinals on Friday. PETERSBURG, Russia (AP) - As Spain’s jubilant players sprinted onto the field to celebrate a penalty-shootout victory at the European Championship, Luis Enrique stood alone and simply pumped his fists.Īmid the tension and rising pressure inside Saint Petersburg Stadium, the Spain coach might have been the calmest person around.