Spain Beat Switzerland to Reach Euro 2025 Semi-Finals After Second-Half Surge

BERN, SWITZERLAND — Spain have advanced to the semi-finals of UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 after a hard-fought 2-0 victory over hosts Switzerland at the Wankdorf Stadium. Goals from Athenea del Castillo and Claudia Pina broke the deadlock in the second half, securing Spain’s first semi-final berth in the European Championship since 1997.

Spain Overcome Missed Penalties to Clinch Victory

Despite missing two penalties—Mariona Caldentey in the 9th minute and Alexia Putellas in the second half—Spain’s persistence paid off. Del Castillo, brought on as a substitute, made an immediate impact, scoring less than four minutes after coming on. Claudia Pina followed up with a sensational curling effort in the 71st minute to double the lead.

The Spanish side, reigning world champions, had to work hard against a resolute Swiss defense that frustrated them throughout the first half. Swiss goalkeeper Livia Peng, who has just signed with Chelsea, delivered a standout performance, saving Putellas’ penalty and denying several key chances.

Swiss Resistance Ends But Leaves a Lasting Impact

Switzerland may be out of the tournament, but their campaign has captured national attention. Friday’s fan walk from downtown Bern to Wankdorf Stadium saw thousands of fans in red chanting and celebrating the historic quarter-final appearance.

Coach Pia Sundhage’s young squad—including 18-year-olds Sydney Schertenleib, Noemi Ivelj, and Iman Beney—made history as the first team to start three players aged 18 or younger in a single Euros match. Despite the 2-0 loss and a late red card to Noelle Maritz, the Swiss crowd stayed behind to applaud their team for a valiant effort.

Spain’s Star Players Face Tougher Tests Ahead

Spain’s high-scoring run—16 goals so far at Euro 2025—places them among the tournament’s elite, trailing only England (22 in 2022) and Germany (21 in 2009) for most goals scored in a single edition. But the narrow win over Switzerland revealed vulnerabilities.

Golden Boot contender Esther Gonzalez was neutralized by Maritz, and the team struggled to create clear-cut chances. Aitana Bonmati summed it up post-match: “We’re used to winning early. But real football takes 90 minutes of fight—especially at this level.”

Next Up: Semi-Final Showdown in Zurich

Spain now await the winner of France vs Germany, who clash in Basel on Saturday night. The semi-final will be held in Zurich on Wednesday, July 23, at 20:00 BST. With momentum building, Spain’s quest for a first-ever UEFA Women’s Euro title continues—but they’ll need to sharpen their finishing if they hope to overcome their next opponent.