No team had endured the travel toll like Switzerland, not to mention the tough draw. In the end, though, it was Spain who booked a semifinal spot.
ST. PETERSBURG, Russia — It was the game that had everything, followed by a penalty shoot-out that lurched one way and then another. By the end of an energy-sapping and psychologically draining 120 minutes, Spain rode their luck — and Switzerland saw theirs run out — to claim a place in the Euro 2020 semifinals after a 3-1 win on penalties following a 1-1 draw. They played «London Calling» by The Clash over the stadium PA system just seconds before the penalties began, if only to add more pressure on the takers by reminding them precisely what was at stake: a semifinal against Belgium or Italy at Wembley on July 6. While the nerves affected both sets of players, the prize of a semifinal (and maybe yet a place in the final) ended up with Spain thanks to two shoot-out saves by goalkeeper Unai Simon and a wayward attempt by Swiss substitute Ruben Vargas, who sent his shot over the crossbar. Mikel Oyarzabal may have struck the decisive penalty, but Simon was the difference-maker. Euro 2020: News and features| Fixtures and bracket| Standings| Squads| Live on ESPN| VAR watch| Pick ’em Friday’s defeat was tough on Switzerland — especially so for keeper Yann Sommer, who produced a series of crucial saves late in the game to take it to penalties. The Borussia Monchengladbach No.1, whose save from Kylian Mbappe sealed Monday’s Round of 16 shootout win against France, looked set to be the match-winner again when he kept out Rodri ‘s spot-kick during their penalty drama. But having played with 10 men since the 77th minute after midfielder Remo Freuler was dismissed for a challenge on Gerard Moreno — replays showed it to be a harsh decision by English referee Michael Oliver, but it was not challenged by VAR — Switzerland just could not repeat their heroics against the French in Budapest by eliminating Luis Enrique’s team. «I’m really proud of the team,» Swiss midfielder Xherdan Shaqiri said.
