Disappointed but proud, Switzerland fans had to say good-bye to their team after Spain beat them 3-1 in a shootout following a 1-1 draw in their European Championship quarter-final in Saint Petersburg on Friday (July 2).
Spain suffered more penalty jitters but squeezed past Switzerland 3-1 in an error-strewn shootout to reach the semi-finals after their battling opponents clung to a 1-1 draw despite going down to ten men.
The three-times European champions’ keeper Unai Simon saved from Switzerland’s Manuel Akanji and Fabian Schar while Ruben Vargas hammered his shot over the bar.
Hoping to win their first of four quarter-final appearances in major tournaments, Switzerland deservedly levelled in the 68th minute when Xherdan Shaqiri cashed in on a mix-up in the Spain defence.
“It’s hard, honestly, because the dream ends a little bit too quickly and too early,” said Aurore Favre who came to watch the game with some friends in a bar in Geneva.
The Swiss cause was complicated by Remo Freuler being shown a straight red card in the 77th minute, yet they held on to force the extra period and somehow survived a Spain onslaught to make it to spot-kicks.
Despite beating France 5-4 on penalties in the last 16 by scoring all their kicks, only Mario Gavranovic could beat Simon and the Swiss were left heartbroken.
“I’m disappointed, but I’m really proud as well. You know, yes, it’s a just a happy-sad moment,” said Herman Thapa.
While Spain prevailed, this was an extraordinary effort from Switzerland, who ended the game without their three best midfielders as Granit Xhaka was suspended, Freuler had been sent off and then Shaqiri hobbled off injured.
Swiss keeper Yann Sommer then produced more heroics to add to his superhuman efforts against France, making save after save as Spain overwhelmed their opponents in extra time but failed to score.
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