MX23RW : Thursday, May 2 03:17:44| >> :120:25684:25684:
[monks data]
Switzerland national football team
European Championship | Quarter-Finals
Jul 2, 2021 at 5pm UK
Saint Petersburg Stadium
Spain national football team

Switzerland
1 - 1
Spain

Shaqiri (68')
Widmer (67'), Gavranovic (120+1')
Freuler (77')
FT
(aet)
Zakaria (8' og.)
Laporte (90+3')
Spain win 3-1 on penalties

Luis Enrique hails Unai Simon as Spain reach Euro 2020 semi-finals

Luis Enrique hails Unai Simon as Spain reach Euro 2020 semi-finals
© Reuters
Spain, who missed a host of chances in extra time, prevailed 3-1 on spot-kicks.

Spain coach Luis Enrique insists he had complete faith in goalkeeper Unai Simon and his penalty takers as his side edged a shoot-out with Switzerland to reach the semi-finals of Euro 2020.

Denis Zakaria's early own goal had put the three-time champions ahead but Xherdan Shaqiri made it 1-1 midway through the second half.

After Remo Freuler's harsh red card for the Swiss Spain, who missed a host of chances in extra time, prevailed 3-1 on spot-kicks.

"In terms of the penalties I was calm as it wasn't down to me," Enrique said.

"Once the players had decided who was going to take them we all had huge faith in Unai and the takers so all you could do was wait to see.

"I told them to enjoy the moment as much as they could. We didn't get off to a good start (Sergio Busquets hit the post) but the players were able to turn it around.

"People say it is a lottery but it isn't at all, everything comes into it: the ability to deal with pressure, the goalkeepers, but when it goes your way it feels very good indeed."

Asked if he had told Simon he could be a hero Enrique added: "Any coach thinks that when they speak to their goalkeeper.

"I've seen him save many penalties for Athletic (Bilbao). I tried to tell him to put pressure on the taker but I was completely relaxed and had faith whatever happened."

Enrique said he always considered his side to be contenders but now they were in the last four they had to start thinking about a fourth title.

"I've always said we were one of the eight teams who had a chance of winning the title but it was dependent on our performances," he added.

"Now we are in the last four that is fantastic and fills us with a great sense of pride.

"It would be ridiculous to think the four semi-finalists aren't going to be thinking about going one further and go to the the final."

Switzerland's captain on the night Shaqiri told euro2020.com: "I'm really proud of the team. Penalties are a bit 50-50.

"I was nervous watching the shoot-out. I think we just lacked a little bit of luck today."

Coach Vladimir Petkovic had mixed emotions after their exit from the tournament.

"I am very proud of my team and the players. Unfortunately a red card like this affected our game for 45 minutes but all these players were the heroes of the night," he said.

"We would have deserved to get to the semi-finals but unfortunately we were tired.

"I cannot complain about anything and I take my hat off to the team."

ID:453776: cacheID:453776:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:4578:No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Belgium's Kevin De Bruyne with Belgium coach Roberto Martinez after being substituted after sustaining an injury on June 27, 2021
Read Next:
Euro 2020 day 22: Belgium face anxious wait over Hazard, De Bruyne
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS

Group A

TeamPWDLPTS
1 Germany Germany00000
2 Hungary Hungary00000
3 Scotland flag Scotland00000
4 Switzerland Switzerland00000

Group B

TeamPWDLPTS
1 Albania national flag Albania00000
2 Croatia Croatia00000
3 Italy Italy00000
4 Spain Spain00000

Group C

TeamPWDLPTS
1 Denmark Denmark00000
2 England flag England00000
3 Serbia Serbia00000
4 Slovenia Slovenia00000

Group D

TeamPWDLPTS
1 Austria Austria00000
2 France France00000
3 Netherlands Netherlands00000
4 Poland Poland00000

Group E

TeamPWDLPTS
1 Belgium Belgium00000
2 Romania Romania00000
3 Slovakia Slovakia00000
4 Ukraine Ukraine00000

Group F

TeamPWDLPTS
1 Czech Republic Czech Republic00000
2 Georgia Georgia00000
3 Portugal Portugal00000
4 Turkey Turkey00000


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!