Athenea and Pina send Spain into the semis (2-0)

Spain’s third visit to the Wankdorf Stadium and their third win. The Spanish national team stepped into a packed stadium, with nearly 30,000 people passionately backing the home team, with one clear aim – to shut out the noise and take control of the match. And that’s what they did from the very first minute, slowing down the opposition's game and halting their attacks to gain possession. Olga Carmona made a diagonal pass that just ran too far for Esther to connect with in Spain’s first attack. A minute later, a run from Mariona Caldentey ended in a penalty given by referee Ferrieri in the 7th minute. The Swiss goalkeeper stood her ground well and Mariona sent the ball into the right post.

Spain’s pressure did not stop and Claudia Pina forced Peng into a great save with a powerful strike in the 13th minute. Olga again looked to link up with Esther with a cross from the left which the forward from Huéscar could only get a glancing header on. The first goal nearly arrived in the 18th minute, but Peng’s once again denied Spain from Claudia Pina’s direct free kick. Spain tried their luck from outside the box again through Pina, but once more Peng was equal to the task.

Spain’s passing play kept pinning the Swiss back but the finishing touch was missing. Patri Guijarro came close with a strike that shaved the post in the 27th minute. Olga Carmona, not content with just providing crosses, also tried her luck from outside the box on 34 minutes, but her shot flew over. The host’s defence, well organised throughout, made it difficult to combine around the edge of the area, while Spain kept searching tirelessly for an opening. Irene too hit the post from a corner in the 42nd minute. The first half ended goalless despite Spain’s overwhelming dominance (71% possession) and the numerous chances (12) they had created.

The siege continued after the break. Less than a minute had passed and already Patri Guijarro had tested the Swiss keeper once again. Alexia and Patri, both relentless, chased every ball and drove the team’s attacking efforts in the early stages of the second half. Claudia Pina struck the ball with her left from the edge of the box but it went just wide. Alexia played a classy lofted ball to Esther, whose header missed the target by inches as the match approached the hour mark.

Patri Guijarro again came close from a set piece, but was denied by the post once more. Montse Tomé took the opportunity to make a double substitution, bringing on Leila Ouahabi and Athenea del Castillo for Olga Carmona and Mariona Caldentey. And just four minutes after coming on, Athenea broke the deadlock with a fine finish inside the far post.

It had taken time to open the scoring, but once it came, another goal came through Claudia Pina, who after trying her luck all game, finally got her reward with a thunderous strike that flew into the top corner of the Swiss goal. With the score at 2-0, Montse Tomé made more changes, bringing on Vicky López and Salma Paralluelo in the 77th minute, with Pina and Esther González making way. In the 87th minute, Alexia nearly put the cherry on the cake, but was denied from the spot as the Swiss keeper guessed right.

In the end, Spain’s superiority told against a solid Swiss side and we keep our European dreams alive.