Spain and Italy would meet in the first semi-final of EURO 2020 after they defeated Switzerland and Belgium in their respective quarterfinal games on Friday.
Three-time European champions, Spain survived another scare to beat 10-man Switzerland in a dramatic penalty shootout after the game ended 1-1 in extra time to reach the semi-finals of the European Championship.
La Roja opened scoring in the eighth minute when Swiss midfielder, Denis Zakaria deflected Jordi Alba’s shot into his own net.
Switzerland equalised in the 68th minute following a mix-up between Aymeric Laporte and Pau Torres, which was capitalised by Remo Freuler who teed up stand-in captain Xherdan Shaqiri, who could not miss.
However, Freuler was sent off nine minutes by referee Michael Oliver later when he came sliding in late on Gerard Moreno.
The Swiss held on to force extra time and a shootout but missed three spot-kicks, which ultimately proved costly.
Victorious from the spot against France, this time Switzerland were outdone, despite Sergio Busquets firing against the post first up. Unai Simón saved from Fabian Schär and Manuel Akanji, and Ruben Vargas blasted over, allowing Oyarzabal to send Spain into the semi-finals.
Elsewhere, Italy edged out Belgium 2-1 to win an enthralling UEFA EURO 2020 quarter-final at the Football Arena in Munich.
The game may not have been a goal feast like some of the last-16 ties but it was an intense battle between two excellent teams playing fantastic football.
Italy have been arguably the best team at the tournament so far, while Belgium are the world’s top-ranked team.
Leonardo Bonucci had an early finish ruled out for offside, but Belgium initially looked the sharper side, despite the absence of the injured Eden Hazard.
Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku both tested Italy’s goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma.
However, Nicolò Barella made the breakthrough and gave the Azurri the lead on 31 minutes, wriggling through two challenges to fire a shot past Thibaut Courtois.
Italy went up 2-0 when Lorenzo Insigne ran from the halfway line before curling in a glorious shot past Courtois.
Belgium were given hope late in the first half when Giovanni di Lorenzo fouled Jeremy Doku and Romelu Lukaku scored the penalty.
Both sides had chances to score again in a breathless second half but with no goals it was the Azzurri who progressed.
Roberto Mancini’s Italian side face Luis Enrique’s Spain at Wembley on Tuesday but they may have to do so without impressive left-back Leonardo Spinazzola, who went off on a stretcher late on.
