Spain defeated ten-man Switzerland on penalties to seal their place in the semi-finals of Euro 2020 and deny sensational Swiss goalkeeper Yann Sommer a place in the last four.
Swiss trio Fabian Schar, Manuel Akanji and Ruben Vargas all missed from 12 yards and Mikel Oyarzabal slotted the decisive penalty as the 2010 World Cup champions prevailed at the end of a gruelling encounter.
In normal time, Liverpool’s Xherdan Shaqiri tested the waters early on but his shot was blocked by a Spanish defender. The second minute break, however, perhaps signalled how the match was to play out.
Spain, unsurprisingly, dominated possession thereafter, but, just as they were against France, Switzerland’s dangerous breaks were causing Luis Enrique’s men problems.
Nevertheless, it was Spain who got the lead in the eighth minute – and in hugely fortuitous circumstances.
When the ball broke to Jordi Alba from a corner, the Barcelona left-back’s shot deflected in from Denis Zakaria – leaving last-16 hero Yann Sommer with no chance.
It was remarkably the tenth own goal of the tournament.
Koke fired a free kick over the bar moments later, after Alvaro Morata won a dangerous foul just outside the area.
In another huge blow for the Swiss, Breel Embolo – one of their standout performers of the competition – limped off after 22 minutes.
Moments later, Dortmund ace Manuel Akanji glancing his header from point blank range over the bar.
Nico Elvedi was the next Switzerland player to fluff his lines from a set piece with his header also flying over the bar and Spain went into the interval with a deserved lead.
Steven Zuber almost got the Swiss level as he poked his effort into Unai Simon after some brilliant play by Ruben Vargas.
Ten minutes later, Shaqiri did just that following an awful mix-up from the Spanish defence.
Pau Torres and Aymeric Laporte failed to clear their lines and the ball fell to the Reds man to fire into the corner.
The equaliser breathed new life into the contest, with Switzerland rejuvenated by the goal and pressing for the winner.
But the game was flipped on its head once more when Remo Freuler was sent off for Switzerland with 15 minutes to play after a dangerous, studs up challenge on Alvaro Morata.
Referee Michael Oliver brandished a straight red and VAR felt no need to overturn his decision.
Switzerland clung on though and there was nothing to separate the sides in normal time.
Spain squirmed a glorious chance to take the lead in extra time but substitute Gerard Moreno mishit Alba’s pinpoint cross from five yards out in what was a huge chance for the 2010 World Cup winners.
Alba thundered an effort goalwards minutes later but Sommer got his hands on it to tip it over as Enrique’s men upped the ante.
Sommer brilliantly saved again as Moreno could not divert his efffort from close range past the goalkeeper.
And minutes later the 32-year-old was on hand again to stop Mikel Oyarzabal’s fierce shot from outside the box.
Ricardo Rodriguez incredibly denied Marcos Llorente with a goal-saving tackle five minutes into the second half of extra time.
The resilient Swiss, heralded by the incredible Sommer who saved nine shots – a tournament record – clawed their way to penalty shootout with the match finishing 1-1 after extra time.
Penalty shoot-out results – Spain win 3-1
Spain: Sergio Busquets missed his penalty, Dani Olmo scored his penalty, Rodri missed his penalty, Gerard Moreno scored his penalty, Mikel Oyarzabal scored his penalty
Switzerland: Mario Gavranovic scored his penalty, Fabian Schar missed his penalty, Manuel Akanji missed, Ruben Vargas missed his penalty