Reigning world champions Spain have booked their place in the semi-finals of the ongoing UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 with a 2–0 win over hosts Switzerland in Bern, overcoming a frustrating evening that included two missed penalties and a resolute Swiss defence.
Goals from Athenea del Castillo and Claudia Pina in the second half finally broke the deadlock after Spain had dominated possession but squandered multiple chances, including two spot-kicks, in front of a record crowd of 78,407—the highest ever for a Women’s European Championship quarter-final.
Spain Wasteful Early, But Finally Break Through
Spain started brightly and looked set to assert their dominance early when Mariona Caldentey won a clear-cut penalty after being brought down by Nadine Riesen. However, the Women’s Super League Player of the Season produced a surprising miss, dragging her effort wide in the 10th minute to the delight of the home fans.
Despite bossing possession, Spain were repeatedly denied by the woodwork—Irene Paredes hit the post in the first half, while Patri Guijarro and Esther Gonzalez saw their headers from set-pieces rattle the frame in the second half.
The hosts, competing in their first-ever major tournament quarter-final, were well-organised and threatened on the break through Alayah Pilgrim, forcing Spain goalkeeper Cata Coll into a rare save.
Del Castillo and Pina Deliver the Breakthrough
With the game still goalless after an hour, Spain head coach Montse Tomé turned to her bench—and the decision paid off instantly. Within minutes of her introduction, Athenea del Castillo found the breakthrough in the 67th minute, latching onto Aitana Bonmatí’s clever flick and squeezing a low shot past Swiss goalkeeper Livia Peng.
Just six minutes later, Spain doubled their lead. A misplaced pass from Lia Walti, under pressure from Guijarro, fell to Claudia Pina, who needed no second invitation. The Barcelona forward curled a stunning 20-yard strike into the top corner, leaving Peng no chance.
Putellas Misses, Maritz Sent Off
Spain had the chance to add a third when Del Castillo was fouled in the box by Iman Beney, but this time Alexia Putellas, one of the tournament’s standout players, saw her penalty brilliantly saved by Peng, who dived full stretch to keep Switzerland in the game.
That save brought the tournament’s penalty conversion woes into sharper focus—13 of 25 penalties taken at Euro 2025, including shootouts, have now been missed or saved.
Switzerland briefly gained momentum from the save, but any hopes of a dramatic comeback were dashed when Noelle Maritz was shown a straight red card for a cynical challenge on Salma Paralluelo late on.
Spain March On
While Switzerland exit the tournament with pride, having inspired a nation and set new attendance records, it’s Spain who move on. The world champions are now one win away from the final and will face either France or Germany in what promises to be a blockbuster semi-final clash next week.