Aitana Bonmati broke Switzerland’s resistance as Spain reached the Euro 2025 semi-finals despite missing two penalties in their win over the hosts in Bern.
The world champions failed to score in the first half for the first time this tournament and were frustrated by an organised Switzerland side after Mariona Caldentey pulled an eighth-minute penalty wide of goal.
But Bonmati provided the moment of magic to unlock the Switzerland defence in the 70th minute, playing a stunning back-heel to release Athene del Castillo as the substitute finished to break the deadlock at last.
Claudia Pina then doubled Spain’s lead a few moments later, finding the top corner with a curling strike from distance. Alexia Putellas missed Spain’s second penalty late on, while the hosts finished with 10 players after a red card for Noelle Maritz.
Spain will play either France or Germany in the semi-finals on Wednesday, with England to meet Italy in the first semi-final the day before. Follow updates from Spain v Switzerland in our match blog below:
Spain v Switzerland LIVE: Women's Euro 2025 updates
- FULL TIME! Spain defeat hosts Switzerland to reach Euro 2025 semi-finals
- Spain miss two penalties but Aitana Bonmati magic breaks deadlock against hosts
- 70' GOAL! Claudia Pina doubles lead with sensational strike from range [SPA 2-0 SWI]
- 65' GOAL! Bonmati with stunning assist as Del Castillo breaks deadlock [SPA 1-0 SWI]
- 8' MISSED PENALTY! Mariona Caldentey drags penalty wide! [SPA 0-0 SWI]
What Spain’s celebrations revealed about the Women’s Euro 2025 favourites
23:14 , Miguel DelaneyIt was a little insight into a team that might well end up being hailed as the greatest. After the final whistle of what might have superficially looked like a fairly routine 2-0 quarter-final win, Spain’s players celebrated as if they’d won a trophy.
There was joyous camaraderie. They ran to the fans. There were group photos where they beckoned members of staff to get involved. Players were even larking about, imitating kung-fu kicks and chasing after each other.
What Spain’s celebrations revealed about the Euro 2025 favourites
FULL TIME! Spain 2-0 Switzerland
22:06 , Jamie BraidwoodSpecial scenes at full-time as Switzerland’s players embark on a lap of appreciation in Bern. Look, there are far better teams at the tournament than Switzerland and Spain showed that tonight. But the hosts have played in front of incredible atmospheres at each game, and let’s hope this leads to a growing movement in the country. It could be the start of something.
FULL TIME! Spain 2-0 Switzerland
22:00 , Jamie BraidwoodAnd how about this from Claudia Pina? This is turning into the 23-year-old’s trademark and she scored a very similar goal against Belgium earlier in the tournament. Having a goal of the tournament competition on her own.
Wow 👏👏
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) July 18, 2025
Claudia Pina with a goal of the tournament contender for Spain! 🇪🇸#WEuro2025 pic.twitter.com/Xm4loKrpFZ
FULL TIME! Spain 2-0 Switzerland
21:59 , Jamie BraidwoodThis is how Spain broke the deadlock at last. A wonderful back-heel from Aitana Bonmati released Athena del Castillo, who finished well just moments after coming on.
Instant impact 👊
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) July 18, 2025
Athenea del Castillo nets the opener for Spain just three minutes after coming on!#WEuro2025 pic.twitter.com/GBBeetvV0E
FULL TIME! Spain 2-0 Switzerland
21:53 , Jamie BraidwoodSwitzerland’s journey is over. Spain were too good, and they are comfortably through to what is just their second Women’s Euro semi-final and first since 1997.
RED CARD! Spain 2-0 Switzerland
21:49 , Jamie BraidwoodA red card, with what is the final action of the game. Bonmati puts Paralluelo through but the rapid forward is pulled down by the defender Maritz. It’s a straight red with just a couple of minutes left to play.
MISSED PENALTY! Spain 2-0 Switzerland
21:46 , Jamie BraidwoodAnother missed penalty! What is happening! But what a save this is from Olivia Peng, diving to her left to keep out a strong strike from Putellas!
Switzerland still alive.
PENALTY! Spain 2-0 Switzerland
21:45 , Jamie Braidwood85 mins: Spain have another penalty! Beney has had an excellent tournament for Spain but slides in dangerously on Del Castillo in the box.
It’s a chance for Spain to make it 3-0 and Alexia Putellas will go for her fourth of the tournament...
Spain 2-0 Switzerland
21:41 , Jamie Braidwood81 mins: There have been a few shots of members of the Italy team in the stadium in Bern watching this quarter-final, including Cristiana Girelli and Arianna Caruso. Italy will be playing England in their semi-final on Tuesday.
As it stands, Spain will play either France or Germany on Friday.
Spain 2-0 Switzerland
21:34 , Jamie Braidwood75 mins: Well that’s sucked the life out of Switzerland but a goal in the next five minutes or so could make it interesting. That said, for all of their excellent defensive resilience, they have really yet to trouble Spain in any meaningful way going forward.
GOAL! Spain 2-0 Switzerland (PINA 70')
21:28 , Jamie BraidwoodAnd it’s two! A trademark finish from Claudia Pina and a stunner into the top corner!
Switzerland appeal for a foul on Lia Walti but there was nothing there and the captain cannot afford to stop like that before the whistle.
From there, Pina bends a stunning shot into the top corner - in what is already a trademark goal from distance from the Barcelona star.
Panic over for Spain and they are heading into the semi-finals.
‘L’?
GOAL! Spain 1-0 Switzerland (DEL CASTILLO 65')
21:24 , Jamie BraidwoodSpain get the breakthrough and it’s an instant impact from substitute Athenea del Castillo!
Oh but it’s a stunning assist from Aitana Bonmati! She receives the ball with her back to goal on the edge of the but flicks it through to find Del Castillo’s run. The forward, who had replaced Caldentey, finds the finish into the bottom corner.
Wonderful from Bonmati. Del Castillo with the finish.
Spain 0-0 Switzerland
21:21 , Jamie Braidwood63 mins: SAVE! Pilgrim has been on the pitch for a matter of moments but makes the run in behind and brings a save out of Cata Coll with her strike across goal. Pilgrim might have been offside, but that just gives Switzerland another lift.
Spain 0-0 Switzerland
21:20 , Jamie Braidwood60 mins; POST! I have no idea how this has not gone in! Pina’s corner finds Patri unmarked at the back post. Her header is heading towards the opposite top corner but strikes the post. Then it breaks in the six-yard box and a combination of Parades and the Switzerland defender Riesen sees it cannon off the other post!
So close from Spain. But Switzerland survive again! It is their night...?
Spain 0-0 Switzerland
21:18 , Jamie Braidwood58 mins: Esther’s looping header has Olivia Peng scrambling back towards her post but it drops just wide.
Spain have Paralluelo, Del Castillo and the 18-year-old Vicky Lopez as options on their bench. I have to say this has not been vintage Aitana Bonmati so far tonight.
Spain 0-0 Switzerland
21:15 , Jamie Braidwood56 mins: Switzerland’s commitment to their defence is outstanding and Spain are struggling to find the spaces. Pina cuts onto her left in the box but slices the shot wide of the post.
Spain 0-0 Switzerland
21:11 , Jamie Braidwood52 mins: At what stage to you start getting concerned if you’re Spanish? 60 minutes? 70? This is turning into a very interesting quarter-final as Spain are not having it their own way. It’s a new test at this tournament.
Spain 0-0 Switzerland
21:07 , Jamie Braidwood48 mins: Oooh. Laia Aleixandri, who is on a yellow card, comes through the back of Schertenleib and they clash heads. She has to be careful.
Aleixandri then times her next challenge to perfection to win the ball ahead of Schertenleib.
Spain 0-0 Switzerland
21:04 , Jamie Braidwood46 mins: We’re back underway, and straight away there’s a chance for Esther Gonzalez in the box. She can’t get a good header on it, and then Patri scuffs her volley from the edge of the box.
HALF TIME! Spain 0-0 Switzerland
20:48 , Jamie BraidwoodAnd there’s the whistle! Switzerland are frustrating Spain and it’s level at the break between the hosts and world champions.
There was one major let off for Switzerland when Mariona Caldentey missed her penalty - but Switzerland would have snapped your arm off if offered 0-0 at half-time.
Spain 0-0 Switzerland
20:46 , Jamie Braidwood45 mins: Good work from Beney and Schertenleib almost breaks into the box. No shot, but another moment for the home fans to get excited about. Two minutes of added time to come.
Spain 0-0 Switzerland
20:43 , Jamie Braidwood42 mins: OFF THE POST! Pina’s corner finds Parades at the back post. It’s a free header but Parades thumps the header into the post from 10 yards out! Another close escape for Switzerland.
Spain 0-0 Switzerland
20:40 , Jamie Braidwood38 mins: Spain have scored in every half of the Euros so far... Switzerland are still yet to concede in the first half of this tournament. Only one of those stats is going to hold in the next five minutes.
Spain 0-0 Switzerland
20:35 , Jamie Braidwood34 mins: The next shot from Spain comes from Olga Carmona but this also misses the target. Schertenleib is back up for Switzerland, who may now believe that getting into half-time level is in sight.
Spain 0-0 Switzerland
20:32 , Jamie Braidwood30 mins: More close control from Spain on the edge of the box... it’s worked to Bonmati but her shot is blocked and goes behind for a corner. This would have been controversial as Switzerland’s young star Sydney Schertenleib had gone down injured.
Spain 0-0 Switzerland
20:28 , Jamie Braidwood27 mins: Spain are getting closer... Pina is involved again and plays a one-two with Esther in the tightest of space. Pina squeezes the shot just wide.
Bonmati then blazes a shot over the top of the bar. The attempts are racking up.
Spain 0-0 Switzerland
20:26 , Jamie Braidwood25 mins: Laia Aleixandri is late to the ball and picks up a yellow card. The former Manchester City centre-back, who is moving to Barcelona, will be suspended from the semi-final if Spain get through.
Spain 0-0 Switzerland
20:23 , Jamie Braidwood22 mins: Apart from that Pina free-kick, Spain have not been as threatening since Caldentey missed her penalty. Is it going to be a turning point that Spain live to regret?
Just as I write that, Pina wriggles through a challenge and looks to bend out into the corner. But she doesn’t get the connection and fires the shot straight at Peng.
Spain 0-0 Switzerland
20:19 , Jamie Braidwood18 mins: SAVE! Great effort from the free-kick from Claudia Pina, who gets it up and down in a flash. It’s not in the corner, though, so Olivia Peng can get across and keep it out.
Spain 0-0 Switzerland
20:17 , Jamie Braidwood16 mins: We need more Chloe Kellys!
First look at goal for Esther Gonzalez, the top scorer at these Euros. Pina hits the byline and clips a cross into the box but Esther can’t direct the header on goal.
50% - Including shootouts, only 50% of the penalties taken at the 2025 UEFA Women's EURO have been scored (12/24), with five missing the target altogether. Wayward. pic.twitter.com/KK9VNA80zT
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) July 18, 2025
Spain 0-0 Switzerland
20:15 , Jamie Braidwood12 mins: Nice break from Switzerland - Beney finds some space down the right and the reverse pass from Crnogorcevic almost finds her in the box. Wow, the noise in the stadium as Switzerland flew forward.
Spain 0-0 Switzerland
20:11 , Jamie Braidwood10 mins: There’s a bug going around at these Euros. There was England v Sweden last night, Ada Hegerberg missing two penalties for Norway, and now this from Caldentey!
MISSED PENALTY! Spain 0-0 Switzerland
20:09 , Jamie Braidwood8 mins: That’s an AWFUL penalty from Caldentey! She drags it well wide of the post!
The Wankdorf erupts!
PENALTY! Spain 0-0 Switzerland
20:08 , Jamie Braidwood7 mins; Penalty to Spain! It’s a silly decision from Riesen to dive in in the box. She is late and catches Mariona Caldentey, who is going to take the penalty too.
Spain 0-0 Switzerland
20:06 , Jamie Braidwood5 mins: The pressure from Spain is relentless already. Switzerland are leaving Schertenleib and Beney as their furthest forwards and are looking to hit the ball over the top and release their pace.
Spain 0-0 Switzerland
20:03 , Jamie Braidwood2 mins: Carmona’s cross finds Bonmati in the box. The first touch gets the ball out of her feet but Switzerland do well to close Bonmati down just in time.
KICK-OFF! Spain 0-0 Switzerland
20:00 , Jamie BraidwoodAnd we’re underway in Bern! Lia Walti with a very ambitious effort just 25 seconds in. It flies well off target.
Spain v Switzerland
19:56 , Jamie BraidwoodThe Switzerland players cry “allez, allez, allez!” before stepping out onto the pitch. The emerge into a perfect summer’s night in Bern to a huge fan display of the Swiss flag. This is some occasion, and the biggest women’s football match in Switzerland’s history.
Kick-off is next!
Spain back to full strength
19:51 , Jamie BraidwoodWith Cata Coll returning in goal and Aitana Bonmati starting again in midfield, Spain are back to full strength for the quarter-finals.
Which is an ominous sign for the rest of the tournament as they have already been the standout team so far at Euro 2025.
Pre-match thoughts from Pia Sundhage
19:42 , Mike JonesSwitzerland’s Pia Sundhage said: “The words coming to my mind are: ‘It is possible.’ So, even though it’s difficult, it is possible.
“And, as long as it’s possible, we’re trying. The quarter-final is something special. It’s in or out.
“It’s Spain – the world champions – which makes it even more special. But, the whole set-up, the fact that we are underdogs.
“Yeah, OK. Again and again, I’ll say: ‘It is possible.’”
Pre-match thoughts from Montse Tome
19:33 , Mike JonesSpain’s head coach said: “We know it’s an important quarter-final, and we’re focused on what we need to do.
“The team is ready, we have a clear plan to attack Switzerland and defend against their fast transitions. We’re eager for the match to begin.
“We know we’ll be playing away with a crowd supporting Switzerland, but we’re focused on our work and preparation.
“The players will have their minds on the game plan, and that will help us compete.”
Chloe Kelly brings magic and sheer chaos as England abandon all logic
19:25 , Jamie BraidwoodChloe Kelly walks up to the penalty spot as if she’s in her back garden. She stops. She pauses. She picks the ball up and spins it back onto the spot, as if no one is watching or waiting for the kick to keep England’s Euro defence alive, after three successive misses. So Kelly waits a little longer. She spins the ball back onto the spot three more times.
Kelly actually needs to pee. Some England players on the halfway line have lost track of the score as Kelly steps back. She locks eyes with goalkeeper Jennifer Falk and can’t help herself from grinning due to the sheer enormity of the moment. But Kelly sticks with what she knows: she lifts her left leg, skips a little, and, with her right foot, effortlessly places the biggest penalty of her life into the corner. Confident? That doesn’t quite cut it.
Chloe Kelly brings magic and sheer chaos as England abandon all logic
Spain vs Switzerland line-ups
19:12 , Mike JonesSpain XI: Coll; Batlle, Paredes, Aleixandri, Carmona; Bonmati, Guijarro, Putellas; Caldentey, Gonzalez, Pina
Switzerland XI: Peng; Beney, Calligaris, Walti, Martiz; Riesen, Reuteler, Ivelj, Vallotto; Crnogorcevic, Schertenleib
Lucy Bronze’s iconic moment saves England and seals her place as a Lionesses legend
19:10 , Miguel Delaney"One of a kind," Sarina Wiegman said of Lucy Bronze. Her "fighter" of a full-back certainly offered an image that will go down in England folklore, albeit after a team performance that won't quite be mentioned as prominently.
Only the spirit, appropriately, will prevail. After a series of absurd misses, in what might well have been one of the worst penalty shoot-outs in football history, a hobbling Bronze ripped off the strapping on her left leg, and strode forward. An astonishing eight of the 12 previous penalties had been squandered. Some had been missed in scarcely believable fashion, the emotional momentum of the shoot-out veering as wildly as some of the shots. So, Bronze just smashed it straight into the roof of the net.
Lucy Bronze’s iconic moment saves England and seals her place as a Lionesses legend
Anatomy of a terrible penalty shootout – how England triumphed in chaos at Euro 2025
18:55 , Jamie BraidwoodEngland lived to fight another day at Euro 2025 after surviving a chaotic penalty shoot-out to beat Sweden and reach the semi-finals.
After England came from behind to claim a 2-2 draw following extra time, nine of the 14 penalties were missed in an extraordinary decider. With a 36 per cent conversion, according to ESPN, it was the worst combined penalty shoot-out rate in Women's Euro history.
But after emerging through one of the worst penalty shoot-outs in major tournament history, England could still celebrate as they set up a semi-final with Italy.
Anatomy of a terrible penalty shootout – how England triumphed in chaos
Switzerland dreaming of Euro 2025 shock against dominant Spain
18:40 , Jamie BraidwoodSwitzerland face perhaps the toughest challenge yet as they take on world champions Spain in the quarter-finals of the Women's Euros, but coach Pia Sundhage predicted a win for her side saying that anything is possible.
Sundhage's side have already become the first Swiss team to get out of the group stage at the tournament, and though the Spaniards represent a formidable opponent, the wily Swedish coach highlighted that big upsets have happened before.
"I would say this is the biggest ever. And the reason I'm saying that is because we're going to play against the world champions. And also, on home soil, a quarter-final, so I think this is the moment," Sundhage told reporters.
"We try to share stories, that's what life is all about," she said, revealing that the team had watched videos of the men's side causing a similar upset by beating Spain at the 2010 World Cup.
"There are some stories you would like to happen again, so sharing stories brings us together, but they also bring a lot of energy as well, and just the mindset that it is possible."
Reuters
Aitana Bonmati grateful to be playing Women's Euro 2025 quarter-finals
18:25 , Jamie BraidwoodSpain playmaker Aitana Bonmati is back to full fitness following a meningitis scare and aiming to continue writing history when Spain take on Switzerland in their Women's Euro quarter-final in Bern.
The reigning world and Nations League champions had their plans disrupted a few days before the tournament as Bonmati was hospitalised with suspected viral meningitis, but the 27-year-old said she is back to her best ahead of the Swiss showdown.
"I never thought I wouldn't be here -- I thought I may miss some games, but I never thought I couldn't be here. I'm willing to be in this tournament. What happened was an unexpected thing," she told reporters on Thursday.
"I felt super well physically, I was perfect ... and all of a sudden, I was at the hospital. It was a new experience for me, obviously, I was negative because it was five days before starting the tournament and I was at the hospital.
"I was frustrated, I suffered, I must admit. All players want to enjoy tournaments but luckily enough I'm ready to play the quarter-finals."
Reuters
Spain v Switzerland prediction: Good luck Switzerland
18:10 , Jamie BraidwoodSwitzerland squeezed through to the quarter-finals for the first time after scoring a late equaliser in the 1-1 draw against Finland and the hosts will be major underdogs when they take on world champions Spain in the quarter-finals.
In an ominous sign from the tournament favourites, Spain equalled the record set by England three years ago for the most goals scored in a Women’s Euros group stage, netting 14 across their three wins. They have shared the goals around the team but Esther Gonzalez has been prolific, with four already, while Alexia Putellas has been the player of the tournament so far with three goals and four assists.
Putellas looks back to her best after being ruled out of the previous Euros with a knee injury suffered on the eve of the tournament, which has meant Spain’s other two-time Ballon d’Or winner Aitana Bonmati has been able to slowly build into the competition after being in hospital for treatment for viral meningitis a week before their first match.
Even with the whole country behind them and momentum building, Switzerland require their greatest ever performance to continue their journey. Geraldine Reuteler has been their standout player in midfield, so there is some hope of a magic moment. Spain just have so many different threats and look unstoppable in attack.
What is the team news?
18:05 , Jamie BraidwoodSpain made some changes for their final group game against Italy but Aitana Bonmati should keep her place in midfield after making her first start of the tournament. Esther Gonzalez, the tournament’s top scorer with four goals, should return alongside Alexia Putellas and Mariana Caldentey. Cata Coll is yet to return in goal with Adriana Nanclares playing every game so far.
Switzerland named an unchanged team for their 1-1 draw against Finland and have been improved by Sydney Schertenleib and Svenja Fölmli coming into their attack. Schertenleib plays her club football with Barcelona while Lia Walti and Geraldine Reuteler have been their best performers of the tournament. Head coach Pia Sundhage has named the same defence for each match so far.
When is Spain v Switzerland?
18:02 , Jamie BraidwoodThe Euro 2025 quarter-final will kick off at 8pm BST (UK time) on Friday 18 July in Bern.
How can I watch it?
It will be shown on BBC One and iPlayer, with coverage getting underway at 7:30pm.
Welcome
18:00 , Jamie BraidwoodHosts Switzerland take on tournament favourites Spain in the Euro 2025 quarter-finals.
Switzerland squeezed through to the knockout stages for the first time in their history with a last-gasp goal against Finland in the group stages but face the toughest test in football as they play the world champions.
Spain have been in ominous form so far, scoring 14 goals in the group stage as they comfortably won their three group games. Alexia Putellas is back in form while Aitana Bonmati has returned to full fitness too.
Spain will be huge favourites to progress but Switzerland will have the backing of the home crowd in Bern. Spain were knocked out of the last Euros by the hosts at the quarter-final stage when they lost to England in 2022.
