Spain hit Swiss for five to advance to World Cup quarter-finals

Aitana Bonmati orchestrated a sensational display as Spain trounced Switzerland 5-1 to advance to the quarter-finals of the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023. 

Spain, driven by a sparkling midfield performance from Bonmati, who netted two goals, and further strikes from Alba Redondo, Laia Codina and Jennifer Hermoso, secured their first-ever place in the World Cup quarter-finals.

Bonmati initiated the Spanish onslaught early in the game with an intelligent finish, neatly cutting the ball back onto her left foot.

The Swiss side, however, responded almost instantly with an unusual equalizer when Spanish defender Codina accidentally scored an own goal.

Unruffled by the unexpected setback, Spain regained their lead as Redondo, in her first start of the tournament, skilfully directed a header past Swiss goalkeeper Gaelle Thalmann.

Spain continued their relentless attack, extending their lead to 3-1 with Bonmati's second goal of the match.

She deftly outmaneuvered three Swiss defenders and the goalkeeper in the penalty box to find the back of the net, further consolidating Spain's dominance.

Before the half-time whistle, Codina redeemed herself for the earlier own goal by pushing the ball into the Swiss net following a goalmouth scramble, making the scoreline 4-1 in Spain's favor.

The second half saw Switzerland putting up a better fight, with substitute Meriame Terchoun forcing a notable save from Spain's goalkeeper Cata Coll.

However, it was Spain that had the final say, with Hermoso clinically sealing the 5-1 victory.

Spain now awaits the victor of the upcoming tie between the Netherlands and South Africa for their quarter-final encounter.

Reflecting on the resounding win, Spain's coach Jorge Vilda said, "The team approached the game well. We were very offensive and our football prevailed. We showed what we can do, even without being at our best level. We made history [by reaching the quarter-finals for the first time]. We proved we are a team of 23 players and we are very happy."

Switzerland's forward Ramona Bachmann admitted the challenge, stating, "Today it was just difficult. You could see that Spain was a class better. In the first 20-25 minutes we had a few good attacks, but we weren’t clever playing them through to the end. We wanted to be dangerous on the counter-attack, which worked out a few times in the first half, but not so much in the second."

Switzerland Women: Gaelle Thalmann; Eseosa Aigbogun (Viola Calligaris 46), Noelle Maritz, Nadine Riesen (Lara Marti 84), Julia Stierli; Ramona Bachmann, Seraina Piubel (Fabienne Humm 75), Geraldine Reuteler (Sandrine Mauron 46), Coumba Sow (Meriame Terchoun 46), Lia Walti; Ana Maria Crnogorcevic.
Subs not used: Seraina Friedli, Livia Peng, Laura Felber, Luana Buehler, Marion Rey, Alisha Lehmann, Amira Arfaoui.
Booked: Julia Stierli (73).

Spain Women: Cata Coll; Ona Batlle, Laia Codina, Oihane Hernandez, Irene Paredes; Teresa Abelleira (Maria Perez 64), Aitana Bonmati, Jennifer Hermoso (Alexia Putellas 77); Esther González (Eva Navarro 64), Salma Paralluelo (Athenea Del Castillo 77), Alba Redondo.
Subs not used: Enith Salon, Misa, Olga Carmona, Ivana Andres, Rocio Galvez, Claudia Zornoza, Mariona, Irene Guerrero.
Booked: None.