Spain has advanced to the European Championship semifinals. © APA/afp / FABRICE COFFRINI

Dream over: Brave Switzerland fails against Spain

The Swiss women's soccer team failed to achieve the miracle of Bern. Despite a courageous performance, the hosts bowed out of the European Championship in the quarterfinals.

July 18, 2025

From: dpa

Coach Pia Sundhage's team lost 0-2 (0-0) to the favorites from Spain, who missed two penalties. The world champions will advance to the semifinals in Zurich on Wednesday – against either Germany or France. Athenea del Castillo (66th minute) and Claudia Pina (71st minute) scored in front of 29.734 spectators at Bern's sold-out Wankdorf Stadium. Mariona Caldentey (9th minute) fired the first penalty wide for Montse Tomé's clearly superior team.

In the closing stages, two-time World Player of the Year Alexia Putellas (88') was denied by goalkeeper Livia Peng. Swiss Noelle Maritz (90'/serious foul) was sent off.

Clumsy foul by Riesen

"Time to move mountains," the loud Swiss fans had painted on a poster, embellishing the message with a red-and-white choreography. It didn't take long for the first mountain to be moved: Caldentey fired a penalty kick low to the left of the Swiss goal. A collective cheer rippled through Wankdorf. The miss-kick had been rather clumsily tripped over by Nadine Riesen in the penalty area.

The Swiss, reaching their first European Championship quarterfinals, had to run and suffer a lot. Spain passed, tricked, and dominated, but failed to find the net. Peng parried a powerful free kick from Pina, and center-back Irene Paredes headed the ball onto the post from a corner. The national team, led by super-talented Sydney Schertenleib, was completely ineffective offensively.

Switzerland celebrates the little things

"We're not playing against Spain to get beaten," Swiss captain Lia Wälti had promised. The hosts kept their word, celebrating sliding tackles, touchline shots, and winning runs. The little things, in other words. The fans loved it. "Hopp, Schwiiz!" thundered from the stands at halftime. The cowbells rang, the 0-0 scoreline tasted good.

Switzerland didn't make it easy for Spain. © ANSA / MICHAEL BUHOLZER

After an hour, the second hurdle was cleared in Wankdorf when the Spanish women's corner was first hit by the left and then the right post. After that, their luck tank was empty, as the world champions then performed world-class feats: Two-time World Player of the Year Aitana Bonmatí set up the long-deserved lead with a backheel for del Castillo, who had just been substituted on. A few minutes later, Pina curled the ball into the corner in a stunning fashion. It was the end of all Swiss hopes of a sensation, even though Peng did save a penalty against Putellas.

Euro 2025, Quarterfinals – Results

Spain – Switzerland 2:0 (0:0)
Goals: 1-0 Athenea (66th), 2-0 Pina (71st)

Sweden – England 2:3 on penalties (2:0; 2:2; 2:2)
Goals: 1:0 Asllani (2nd), 2:0 Blackstenius (25th), 2:1 Bronze (79th), 2:2 Agyemang (81st)

Norway – Italy 1:2 (0:0)
Goals: 0:1 Girelli (50th), 1:1 Hegerberg (66th), 1:2 Girelli (90th)

France vs. Germany (Saturday, 21.00 p.m.)