Spain beat Switzerland on penalties to reach Euro 2020 semifinals

Saint Petersburg - Spain took an early lead when Jordi Alba’s shot from outside the box was deflected into his own net by Denis Zakaria

Spain’s Mikel Oyarzabal struck the winning penalty after Switzerland’s Ruben Vargas fired over the bar as Spain won 3-1 in a shootout following a 1-1 draw in their European Championship quarterfinal in Saint Petersburg on Friday.

In open play, Spain took an early lead when Jordi Alba’s shot from outside the box was deflected into his own net by Denis Zakaria. But Xherdan Shaqiri profited from a defensive error to level the score at 1-1, before the Swiss lost midfielder Remo Freuler to a straight red card on 77 minutes.

Not surprisingly given their numerical advantage, Spain dominated extra time and created a host of chances as Switzerland played for spot-kicks, perhaps mindful that their opponents had missed their last five penalties, including two against them in a Nations League game in November.

Spain will meet the winner of Friday’s other quarterfinal - Belgium v Italy in Munich - in the semifinals in London on Tuesday