The first match of the quarter-final stage of the 2020 European Championship sees Switzerland take on Spain in Saint Petersburg.
Venue: Gazprom Arena (Saint Petersburg)
Key Statistics
Switzerland progressed to the quarter-finals for the first time in five Euro appearances
They have lost once in the last twelve games.
Spain are unbeaten in 11 internationals (W6, D5)
Spain have kept three clean sheets in their last five games
Head to head
- In last eight meetings between both sides, Spain have won four times, scoring 14 goals, while Switzerland have won once, scoring seven goals. Three ended in a draw.
- Spain 16 wins; 5 draws; Switzerland 1 win; Spain scored 48 goals against 18 by Switzerland ( in total of 22 matches)
Latest performances
Switzerland: WWDLWW (Goals for 16, goals against 9)
Spain: DWDDWW (Goals for 15, goals against 4)
Switzerland
Switzerland booked their place in this round by defeating World Champions France in a dramatic penalty shootout in their last match. Yann Sommer was the hero, with the goalkeeper saving the decisive penalty by Kylian Mbappe to ensure that Switzerland progressed to the quarter-finals of the European Championship for the first time in five appearances.
They are now looking to make it past this round but must defeat a Spain side who have just found their mojo back.
However, Vladimir Petković’s side head into this tie with six wins from their last ten games (over 90 minutes) and will fancy their chances of beating Spain.
Switzerland Captain Xhaka will not be available for the quarter-finals
Possible Switzerland starting line-ups
Yann Sommer; Nico Elvedi, Fabian Schar, Manuel Akanji; Kevin Mbabu, Remo Freuler, Granit Xhaka, Ricardo Rodriguez; Xherdan Shaqiri; Haris Seferovic, Breel Embolo
Suspended: Xhaka
Misses next match if booked: Akanji, Elvedi, Embolo, Gavranović, Mbabu, Rodríguez, Schär
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.
Vladimir Petković, Switzerland
Spain
Spain booked their place in this round thanks to a dramatic 5-3 win over Croatia that needed them to go to extra time in the last game.
The result ensured that they became the first team in European Championship history to score five goals in two consecutive matches after they also netted five goals in their last group match win over Slovakia.
With an unbeaten run of 12 games, Luis Enrique’s men are heading into this tie in good form and are expected to win against Switzerland, who were not expected to make it to this stage of the tournament.
After starting slowly and scoring one goal in their first two group games, La Roja have recovered their scoring touch and are expected to find the back of the net against their opponents who are yet to keep a clean sheet in this years’ European Championship.
Possible Spain starting line-ups
Unai Simon, Cesar Azpilicueta, Eric Garcia, Aymeric Laporte, Jordi Alba, Koke, Sergio Busquets, Pedri, Ferran Torres, Alvaro Morata, Pablo Sarabia
Misses next match if booked: Jordi Alba, Busquets, Pau Torres, Rodri
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.
Luis Enrique, Spain
Probability
Switzerland : Draw : Spain :: 17%: 25% : 58%
Prediction
Spain are clearly the stronger team in this match and will be expected to win this over 90 minutes.
Switzerland 1 : 2 Spain (in 90 minutes)
