Giant killers Switzerland stood between Spain and the semifinals of the ongoing Euro 2020.
Switzerland came into this encounter confident having defeated the reigning world champions, France, in the last round.
Spain began well and were rewarded and took the lead after eight minutes when a corner seemed to have been wasted only for the ball to fall to Jordi Alba who struck a sweet left foot and the trailing leg of Denis Zakaria wrong-footed Yann Sommer in goal.
Own goal! Not a good first impression of Zakaria who started in place of the suspended Swiss captain, Granit Xhaka.
With more than 75 percent of the ball for Spain, this looked like it was going to be a long night for Switzerland.
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In fact, Spain almost doubled the lead when Alvaro Morata was clumsily brought down on the edge of the 18-yard box.
Koke took the free kick but couldn't make the ball come down in time. Narrowly over the bar.
The Swiss had a rare foray into the Spanish box but it ended in tears as Breel Embolo was forced off with injured. He had a beat spin but fell awkwardly. In came Ruben Vargas.
Spain should've scored a second that their play deserved but, Cesar Azpilicueta could only head straight into the palms of Sommer from a corner.
By halftime, it was still 1-0 to Spain but Switzerland looked more settled in the match but were still to seriously test Unai Simon in the Spanish goal.
Switzerland almost made Spain pay for their misses when Zakaria the villain rose highest but could only head wide with Unai Simon rooted to the spot.
What a chance to atone for the own goal he scored at the other end! That should've woken up Spain but they never learnt.
They were masters of their own downfall. Aymeric Laporte and Pau Torres combined to give Switzerland a lifeline.
Laporte seemed to have dealt with a harmless ball but his touch cannoned off Pau Torres into the path of Remo Freuler who found Xhedran Shaqiri in space to sidefoot into the net.
Freuler would leave the pitch barely 10 minutes after that equaliser receiving his marching orders because of a dangerous two-footed challenge on Gerard Moreno. Switzerland did well to hold on till the end of regulation time.
Moreno should've put Spain back infront from five yards out but he could only fire straight at the keeper.
Stunning save! What followed was a barrage of chances for Spain but there was no way past the impressive Swiss defence.
Every Swiss player gave it their all and coupled with some luck, they took the tie into the lottery of penalty kicks.
Advantage Switzerland! Psychologically ready for this because they saw off France from the spot just four days earlier.
Spain captain, Sergio Busquets took the first penalty and missed. He sent Yann Sommer the wrong way but couldn't beat the woodwork.
Mario Gavranovic stepped up and put Switzerland infront. Dani Olmo drew Luis Enrique's men level after which what followed was pure comedy.
Switzerland missed their next three spot kicks to give Spain the advantage. Mikel Oyarzabal stepped up to calmly slot his into the bottom corner and send Spain through into the semis after Gerard Moreno had given them the lead.