Match Preview: Spain V Switzerland

Spain are set to take on host nation, Switzerland in a contest like no other. The Current World Champions are in yet another quarterfinal of an International Tournament. However, for Switzerland, this is their first appearance in a knockout round of football. This quarter-final tie is set to take place in Bern at Stadion Wankdorf at 8pm (GMT) on Friday 18th July. This match will be a tough contest for both sides, with Spain preparing to claim a trophy they’ve never won before and Switzerland who are wanting to take after England and win the European Championships on home soil.

📸via Sebastien Bozon [GettyImages]

Spain were drafted into Group B alongside Italy, Belgium and Portugal. Spain took 3 wins from 3 and showed pure composure on the pitch as well as in front of goal. For all 3 group games, Spain have been without their number 1 goalkeeper, Cata Coll. Instead, Spain have had Adriana Nanclares being the vocalist for the backline. Notably, Nanclares has only conceded 3 goals in the campaign so far. However, she has been part of the squad who have scored 14 goals across the 3 matches played.

In the last Euro's campaign, Spain reached the quarterfinals where they were knocked out by reigning champions, England. Although Spain were the team to break the deadlock between the two sides in the second half, they were not the team who came out on top. This time round, Spain are hoping to be the side that take all the glory and be the squad named as one of the teams in the Semi-Final of the UEFA European Championships.

For Switzerland, they have been a force to be reckoned with. In the group-stage matches, Switzerland have come close to being knocked out on several occasions, especially with the final matchday being the decider between being knocked out and reaching the next stage of Euro2025. Being the host nation, they were drafted into Group A, with Norway, Finland and Iceland. Switzerland had a rocky start to their campaign, losing 2 – 1 to Norway. The second matchday of WEURO2025, we saw Switzerland take on Iceland in a make-or-break match. If they lost against Iceland, their Euro campaign would’ve been close to being over. The Swiss Nati Team persevered and claimed a 2 – 0 win against Iceland which confirmed Iceland’s Euros to be over.

In the final matchday of the group-stages, Switzerland took on Finland, where both teams had to win to go through to the knockout stages. This match had many people on the edge of their seats. Finland scored a penalty in the 79’ minute, however Xhemaili equalised in the 90+2’ to push her team over the line to the quarter-final stages of a home tournament.

With this being Switzerlands first quarter-final, the team will want to make their mark on the international stage. Switzerland have everything to play for, especially their nation.

The last time both sides met was in the 2023 Nations League Campaign. Where Spain saw their side win 7 – 1 against the Swiss during the away leg for Spain. With this being a contrast of the previous match, Spain will not hold back as they know they can damage Switzerland on their soil.

One notable player for Spain currently, is Alexia Putellas. She currently has 2 ballon d’Or titles to her name, and there’s no secret that she’s going for a third. During the group stages alone, Alexia racked up a total 7 goal involvement. With Spain scoring a total of 14 times in the group-stage, this means that Alexia was involved in exactly half of the goals scored. As well as being on the scoresheet 3 times and assisting 4 times.

Another key player for Spain is Mariona Caldentey. Mariona has been named on the scoresheet once for Spain but knows how to work the midfield. Caldentey has been a key starter for both club and country this past season. On club level, Mariona Caldentey played the most minutes of any player at Arsenal, meaning she has had time to develop into the midfield and take her skills and knowledge to this strong Spanish side.

Lia Wälti will go up against Arsenal teammate Mariona Caldentey where both players won the Champions League. Therefore, Lia Wälti knows Mariona Caldentey more than any other Swiss teammate. Besides playing alongside Mariona, Lia Wälti also came up against most of the Spanish players in Arsenals Champions League journey, especially playing against both Real Madrid and Barcelona. This may play in advantage for the Swiss team overtime. Lia Wälti plays in midfield where she can turn players round in a matter of seconds, she may be the string that holds her nation together in this contest against World Champions, Spain.

Another key player for Switzerland is Sydney Schertenleib. She currently plays for Barcelona, on the same side as Alexia Putellas, Aitana Bonmatí, and many Spanish players. Like Lia Wälti, she is familiar with Spain’s playing styles. Schertenleib herself is an incredible player with an eye for goal, she will be an outstanding asset to the Swiss team.

Montse Tome was asked about progressing further in the tournament, especially after the last time they reached the quarterfinal of the Euros. Tome stated "I hope we can keep progressing in this tournament. It's the first time Spain have won all three group matches and the work being done is very good. I have no doubt that the team will have the best attitude to keep improving."

Pia Sundhage was asked about facing the quality Spain can bring to the pitch. Sundhage stated "They're world champions. They're Spain, so everyone's talking about how they play and some of the good players they have, and it's a quarterfinal. Those three things make it so special, and you have to grab the moment. We're going to really try and do it, not only individually but as a collective. We do have a chance."