The Swiss boys pulled off the shock of the tournament when they knocked current World Cup holders and one of the favourites for this tournament- France- out of the competition on penalties thanks to a Jan Sommer penalty save from Kylian Mbappe.
Spain did not have it all their way in their tie though as they came through in extra time after finishing normal time 3-3 but they went on to win 5-3.
Neither team will have home advantage here though as the game is being played in the Gazprom Arena in Saint Petersburg.
In their last five previous meetings, Spain have W2, L1, D2 where they have scored six and conceded three goals along the way.
Switzerland are 5/50 to win the game and Spain are 1/70 to win the game.
- Previous defensive record:
Switzerland conceded three goals in normal time against France in their round of 16-knockout tie and looked to be going out but for a last-minute equaliser from Gavranovic to take it to extra time. It remained a draw through extra time and Switzerland scored all of their penalties to win 4-3 and knock the World Cup champions out. Spain also conceded three goals and were close to going through but for another last-minute equaliser, by Croatia’s Pasalic in normal time. Croatia pushed the Spanish side to the max but it was Spain who edged out winners as they got another two goals in extra time to ensure it wasn’t going to penalties.
Switzerland have scored three goals in each of the last four internationals that has seen Haris Seferović get on the scoresheet. While Pablo Sarabia and Ferran Torres have scored in Spain’s last two Euro outings. No Spanish player has ever found the net in three consecutive games in this competition.
Granit Xhaka (Switzerland) is out as he racked up too many yellow cards. Jose Gaya (Spain) is a doubt with a muscle injury.
Misses next match if booked: Akanji, Elvedi, Embolo, Gavranović, Mbabu, Rodríguez, Schär (Switzerland)
Misses next match if booked: Jordi Alba, Busquets, Pau Torres, Rodri (Spain)
Switzerland possible line-up: Sommer; Elvedi, Akanji, Rodríguez; Widmer, Freuler, Zakaria, Zuber; Shaqiri; Embolo, Seferović
Spain possible line-up: Unai Simón; Azpilicueta, Eric García, Laporte, Jordi Alba; Koke, Busquets, Pedri; Sarabia, Morata, Ferran Torres
Managers view:
Vladimir Petković, Switzerland: “The game against France was almost too emotional. All my players gave 120%. It was probably one of my team’s best games ever. We will need a similar performance against Spain in the quarter-finals.”
Luis Enrique, Spain: “I’m ready for games like [the 5-3 win against Croatia] if we have another – but I’m not sure if my family or the fans feel the same! We won’t play long-ball, defensive football even if playing the way we do brings wild matches. We only defend by trying to own the ball and play.”
Last six form guide:
Switzerland: DWLDWW
Spain: WWDDWW
These two sides meet for the fourth time in a major tournament but the first at a European Championship and Switzerland will be confident as in their most recent international meeting in the 2010 World Cup, they beat their opponents.
Switzerland have progressed to the quarterfinal stage for the first time in five Euro appearances, but of course, they will start as underdogs as they did in the France game and yet they managed to come out as winners on penalties after a 3-3 draw in normal and extra time.
Spain also came through a pulsating tie, beating Croatia 5-3 after extra time and by doing so became the first team in Euro finals history to score over 4.5 team goals in consecutive matches after their 5-0 drubbing of Slovakia in their final group stage game. They will also be confident that if they get past this stage then they have the best chance of lifting the trophy as they have done so every time they have won their quarterfinal games (1964, 2008 and 2012). However, Switzerland can take confidence from their performance against France and the fact that Spain are not invincible and can concede goals.
If this tie is anything like both of their round of 16 fixtures then we can expect determined and passionate performances with goals galore and who knows Switzerland may just about have enough energy left in the tank to create yet another shock!
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