UEFA Euro 2020 quarterfinals: Spain battles past Switzerland, Italy knocks out Belgium to seal semis berth

The UEFA Euro 2020 has reached deeper into its knockout stages, as the first couple of matches of the quarterfinals were played on Friday. Spain and Italy were the teams that sealed their berth for the semis, and here's how they did it.

<p>The knockout stages of the 2020 UEFA Euro continue and get more profound, as the quarterfinals commenced form Friday. A couple of matches were conducted and produced favourable results, while one of the top sides was knocked out in the process. On the same note, we present the round-up from Friday's quarters' ties.</p>

The knockout stages of the 2020 UEFA Euro continue and get more profound, as the quarterfinals commenced form Friday. A couple of matches were conducted and produced favourable results, while one of the top sides was knocked out in the process. On the same note, we present the round-up from Friday's quarters' ties.

<p><strong>Spain battles past Switzerland in an enthraling clash</strong><br />In the opening contest of the evening, former champion Spain was up against Switzerland at the Saint-Petersburg Stadium. While Spain was the favourite to win the clash, it turned out to be a close contest.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>In the opening half, Denis Zakaria's own goal put Spain ahead within just eight minutes. While three more promising chances were created, Spain managed to hold on to the lead at half-time.</p>

Spain battles past Switzerland in an enthraling clash
In the opening contest of the evening, former champion Spain was up against Switzerland at the Saint-Petersburg Stadium. While Spain was the favourite to win the clash, it turned out to be a close contest.

In the opening half, Denis Zakaria's own goal put Spain ahead within just eight minutes. While three more promising chances were created, Spain managed to hold on to the lead at half-time.

<p>The second half turned out to be dramatic, as Xherdan Shaqiri pulled off the equaliser in the 68th minute. However, Switzerland suffered a jolt after Remo Freuler was shown a red card nine minutes later for his harsh tackle on Gerard Moreno. The Swiss played composed gameplay thereon, switching to ultra-defensive mode, hardly allowing any room for the Spanish to attack, as it all ended 1-1 at the full-time whistle.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Into the extra-time, Spain switched to attacking mode, coming up with four chances in the first half, but to no avail. The following half was no different, as a couple of more events were created from Spain, but the Swiss defence held firm to take it to a penalty shootout.</p>

The second half turned out to be dramatic, as Xherdan Shaqiri pulled off the equaliser in the 68th minute. However, Switzerland suffered a jolt after Remo Freuler was shown a red card nine minutes later for his harsh tackle on Gerard Moreno. The Swiss played composed gameplay thereon, switching to ultra-defensive mode, hardly allowing any room for the Spanish to attack, as it all ended 1-1 at the full-time whistle.

Into the extra-time, Spain switched to attacking mode, coming up with four chances in the first half, but to no avail. The following half was no different, as a couple of more events were created from Spain, but the Swiss defence held firm to take it to a penalty shootout.

<p>Spain's Sergio Busquets kicked things off in the shootout by missing a penalty, while Swiss's Mario Gavranovic put the side ahead. Although Daniel Olmo of Spain converted the second, followed by another missed chance from Rodri, Moreno and Mikel Oyarzabal converted their chances. Meanwhile, the Swiss saw three successive missed opportunities from Fabian Schär, Manuel Akanji and Ruben Vargas as Spain comfortably rode into the semis.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Stats</strong><br />- Pedri has become the second European to start in five major competition matches under the age of 18 after Northern Ireland's Norman Whiteside, playing on five occasions when aged 17.<br />- Zakaria's own goal was the tenth in the tournament this season, the most in history.<br />- Sahqiri has become the fifth-most scoring player (8) in Euro/World Cup since the 2014 World Cup after Ivan Perisic (9), Romelu Lukaku (10), Antoine Griezmann (11) and Cristiano Ronaldo (13).</p>

Spain's Sergio Busquets kicked things off in the shootout by missing a penalty, while Swiss's Mario Gavranovic put the side ahead. Although Daniel Olmo of Spain converted the second, followed by another missed chance from Rodri, Moreno and Mikel Oyarzabal converted their chances. Meanwhile, the Swiss saw three successive missed opportunities from Fabian Schär, Manuel Akanji and Ruben Vargas as Spain comfortably rode into the semis.

Stats
- Pedri has become the second European to start in five major competition matches under the age of 18 after Northern Ireland's Norman Whiteside, playing on five occasions when aged 17.
- Zakaria's own goal was the tenth in the tournament this season, the most in history.
- Sahqiri has become the fifth-most scoring player (8) in Euro/World Cup since the 2014 World Cup after Ivan Perisic (9), Romelu Lukaku (10), Antoine Griezmann (11) and Cristiano Ronaldo (13).

<p><strong>Italy continues its dream run, ending Belgium's semis bid</strong><br />The second and the most anticipated game of the evening saw Belgium take on Italy at the Allianz Arena in Munich. As expected, it indeed turned out to be a close contest.</p>

Italy continues its dream run, ending Belgium's semis bid
The second and the most anticipated game of the evening saw Belgium take on Italy at the Allianz Arena in Munich. As expected, it indeed turned out to be a close contest.

<p>The opening half turned out to be entertaining enough, with Leonardo Bonucci putting Italy ahead in the 13th minute, only for the Video Assistant Referee to rule it out for an offside. Nevertheless, as Nicolo Barella earned a genuine lead for the 31st minute, the turned down goal hardly made a difference.</p>

The opening half turned out to be entertaining enough, with Leonardo Bonucci putting Italy ahead in the 13th minute, only for the Video Assistant Referee to rule it out for an offside. Nevertheless, as Nicolo Barella earned a genuine lead for the 31st minute, the turned down goal hardly made a difference.

<p>At the same time, it was doubled by Lorenzo Insigne 13 minutes later. Meanwhile, Romelu Lukaku pulled one back for the Belgians through a penalty spot-kick after Giovanni Di Lorenzo fouled Jérémy Doku inside the box. The Italians still led at half-time.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The second half was a composed one from Italy, as it switched to its famous ultra-defensive mode. Meanwhile, Belgium came up with promising twin chances in the 61st and 71st minutes, but to no avail, as Italy managed to hold on to the lead before the referee blew the full-time whistle.</p>

At the same time, it was doubled by Lorenzo Insigne 13 minutes later. Meanwhile, Romelu Lukaku pulled one back for the Belgians through a penalty spot-kick after Giovanni Di Lorenzo fouled Jérémy Doku inside the box. The Italians still led at half-time.

The second half was a composed one from Italy, as it switched to its famous ultra-defensive mode. Meanwhile, Belgium came up with promising twin chances in the 61st and 71st minutes, but to no avail, as Italy managed to hold on to the lead before the referee blew the full-time whistle.

<p><strong>Stats</strong><br />- Doku has become the youngest Belgian (19 years and 36 days) to start in a Euro/World Cup knockout after Divock Origi (19 years and 74 days).<br />- Doku also became the first teen to win a Euro penalty since Wayne Rooney in 2004.<br />- Lukaku has now scored the most goals for Belgium in the Euros (6).<br />- Italy has now won 15 Euro games in a row, including the qualifiers, going past Belgium's 14.<br />- Doku's eight dribbles against Italy is a record for any teen in the Euro/World Cup since the data is available following the 1966 World Cup and 1980 Euro.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>NOTE: Asianet News humbly requests everyone to wear masks, sanitise, maintain social distancing and get vaccinated as soon as eligible. Together we can and will break the chain #ANCares #IndiaFightsCorona</strong></p>

Stats
- Doku has become the youngest Belgian (19 years and 36 days) to start in a Euro/World Cup knockout after Divock Origi (19 years and 74 days).
- Doku also became the first teen to win a Euro penalty since Wayne Rooney in 2004.
- Lukaku has now scored the most goals for Belgium in the Euros (6).
- Italy has now won 15 Euro games in a row, including the qualifiers, going past Belgium's 14.
- Doku's eight dribbles against Italy is a record for any teen in the Euro/World Cup since the data is available following the 1966 World Cup and 1980 Euro.

NOTE: Asianet News humbly requests everyone to wear masks, sanitise, maintain social distancing and get vaccinated as soon as eligible. Together we can and will break the chain #ANCares #IndiaFightsCorona