Switzerland 1-5 Spain: Outstanding Spain progress to quarter-finals
Spain secured their spot in the 2023 Women’s World Cup quarter-finals – their first QF – with a stunning display of firepower, eliminating Switzerland from the tournament.
Just five days after suffering a 4-0 defeat to Japan in their final group game in Wellington, La Roja made an impressive comeback. They put on a dominant first-half performance, scoring four goals in front of a record crowd of 43,217 for a football match in New Zealand.
The scoring started when Aitana Bonmati swept the ball into the net, putting Spain in the lead. However, Switzerland found an equaliser when Laia Codina, without looking up, inadvertently sent a back pass past her own goalkeeper from an astonishing 10 yards inside her own half.
Undeterred, Spain quickly regained their lead with a header from Alba Redondo. Barcelona midfielder Bonmati continued to shine, showcasing her class with a stylish finish to make it 3-1 for Spain.
In an incredible turn of events in the opening half, Codina redeemed herself for the own goal by contributing to Spain’s fourth goal after a scramble inside the box.
Spain’s outstanding performance and goal-scoring spree ensured their historic qualification for the quarter-finals, leaving the fans and the football world in awe of their resilience and attacking prowess.
They added another after half-time through Jennifer Hermoso’s clinical finish – her third goal of this tournament.
Jorge Vilda’s side were the first to reach the last eight and will play the Netherlands in the quarter-finals in Wellington next Friday (02:00 BST).
Spain bounce back after Japan’s defeat
It was the perfect response to all those who wrote Spain off after their 4-0 mauling by Japan.
Boss Vilda promised a response from his players after that comprehensive defeat and he got one as the side ranked sixth in the world got the job done before half-time in Auckland.
Vilda responded to the Japan defeat by making five changes, giving a debut to goalkeeper Cata Coll in place of first-choice Misa Rodriguez.
Apart from the wild back pass, Spain gave a highly impressive performance. It was their third win in four games in New Zealand and have shown they are real contenders to lift the trophy.