Spain’s Quarter-Final Victory Over Switzerland
Spain secured their place in the semi-finals of Euro 2025 with a 2-0 victory over Switzerland. The win was achieved through goals from Athenea del Castillo and Claudia Pina, while Switzerland found themselves down to ten players after Noelle Maritz received a red card late in the match. Despite this, Spain managed to progress, showcasing their resilience and strength.
The team, known for their dominance in women’s football, including their victory over England in the 2023 World Cup final, is considered one of the favorites to win Euro 2025. However, their path to the semi-finals was not without challenges. Both Montse Tome’s side and their opponents faced difficulties, particularly in the first half where Spain struggled to find their rhythm.
It wasn’t until the 66th minute that Spain finally broke the deadlock, marking the longest time they had waited for a goal at Euro 2025. This came after they had scored before the 22nd minute in their three group matches, highlighting a shift in their performance.
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Izzy Christiansen’s Criticisms of Spain
Izzy Christiansen, a former England midfielder and now a commentator for the BBC, did not hold back in her criticism of Spain during the match. She pointed out that some Spanish players attempted to trick the referee into awarding fouls during the first half. Christiansen also referenced Arsenal’s recent victory over Barcelona in the Champions League final, where the Spanish team was described as being ‘bullied.’
Christiansen remarked on the behavior of certain players, stating, “The Spanish players are starting to act like they did in the Champions League final, the ones that played for Barcelona.” She noted the negative body language and appeals for fouls that were not justified.
In addition to the tactics, Christiansen criticized two key players, Montse Tome’s Montserrat Caldentey and Alexia Putellas, for missing their penalties. She described Caldentey’s attempt as “really poorly executed” and Putellas’ as “terrible.”
Reflections on Spain’s Performance
After the match, Christiansen expressed her concerns about Spain’s performance. She stated, “Based on tonight’s performance, I don’t think Spain would [get to the final] because France and Germany would [have beaten them].” She also mentioned that Laia Aleixandri was fortunate to remain on the pitch, emphasizing the need for improvement if Spain is to face stronger opponents.
Despite the challenges, Christiansen acknowledged that Spain could take confidence from their performance. She noted that even though they were poor in some aspects, they managed to secure the win, which could be a positive sign for their future games.
Recognition of Switzerland’s Efforts
While Spain celebrated their victory, several former England players praised Switzerland for their performance. Anita Asante, a former England defender, highlighted the difficulty of the match, stating, “We knew it would be nothing short of a miracle for Switzerland to get a result tonight, but they can take heart and credit for their performance.”
She emphasized that Switzerland, a young team, showed great determination by holding Spain for about 60 minutes. Asante added that the Swiss team made it difficult for Spain, demonstrating their potential for future competitions.
Steph Houghton, an ex-England captain, also commended Switzerland. She said, “Switzerland have done everyone proud. They’re on their own journey to create a legacy.” Houghton encouraged the young players, suggesting that the experience would help them grow and improve.
Looking Ahead
As Spain moves forward in the tournament, they will need to address the issues highlighted by Christiansen and others. With strong teams like France and Germany ahead, the challenge will be significant. However, the lessons learned from this match could prove invaluable for their journey in Euro 2025.
For fans and players alike, the excitement continues as the competition progresses, with each match offering new opportunities and challenges.
