Spain reach Euro semi-finals with penalties win v Switzerland
SAINT PETERSBURG, July 2 (Reuters) - Spain's Mikel Oyarzabal struck the winning penalty after Switzerland's Ruben Vargas fired over the bar as Spain won 3-1 in a shootout following a 1-1 draw in their European Championship quarter-final in Saint Petersburg on Friday.
In open play, Spain took an early lead when Jordi Alba´s shot from outside the box was deflected into his own net by Denis Zakaria. But Xherdan Shaqiri profited from a defensive error to level the score at 1-1, before the Swiss lost midfielder Remo Freuler to a straight red card on 77 minutes.
Not surprisingly given their numerical advantage, Spain dominated extra time and created a host of chances as Switzerland played for spot-kicks, perhaps mindful that their opponents had missed their last five penalties, including two against them in a Nations League game in November.
Spain will meet the winner of Friday´s other quarter-final - Belgium v Italy in Munich - in the semi-finals in London on Tuesday. (Reporting by Nick Said; Editing by Andrew Cawthorne)
