Surprised to see nobody having opened a thread. The tournament will enter now the final phase. Only seven fixtures left.
Prediction Switzerland 0-2 Spain I don't think Switzerland will do much here. My reference is the Italy game for this as Spain and Italy play both a similair football. In the Nations League both fixtures between these teams were quite close (Spain won 1-0 at home amd drew 1-1 away). I think Spain will seal it with a goal in each half.
Man, Shaqiri has been bad. Not reading the game correctly, and his decision making has been slow. They are missing Xhaka for sure. Alba and Sarabia are dominating the left side, and Swiss need to adjust.
It looks like they credited Spain's goal as an own goal... debatable since the shot was on target without the deflection, but that would be the 10th of this tournament.
1:0 for Spain at HT. Spain playing their typical, possession, game. They went up on a deflected shot early in the match and other than some moments here or there for the two sides, it has been mostly dull so far.
Looks like St Petersburg have backtracked on filling up the stadium given the recent covid spike. No discount in ticket prices like elsewhere.
So, Switzerland get back into it 1-1, but a late two footed studs up challenge results in a straight red. I don't see a lot to argue with there. an exciting 15 minutes or perhaps 45 on the current form. Shaqiri coming off.
Surprised Spain couldn't dispatch Switzerland in regular time. It looks to me that they were too secure and content to hold on their lead. Every extra time they play is stress and takes extra energy. Not good for the rest of the tournament.
That wasn't a two studs up challenge. He slid with the front of his shins moving toward the player, and also won the ball.
weak red. swiss grossly underrated. they give you low quality chances and they finish off simple yet expertely worked plays.
Historical chance for Switzerland now to reach their first ever semi-finals in a major tournament. My pick to win the penalty shoot-out is Spain though.
I will have to look at it again, but he *definitely* slid in with both feet. At least the top foot has studs showing and he rakes those studs across the ankle. Also, the Spanish player had already kicked the ball so the tackle was unequivocally late. Lastly, this was clearly lunging *at the player* since the player had the ball under control that's a straight red, every day of the week.
I hate penalties. I really hate penalties. Yes, I am rooting for Spain, but I hate penalties. Swizterland goes out having shown real, real quality in this tournament.
Prediction Belgium 2-1 Italy It's an early final for me. I think Belgium are the more versatile and experienced side. De Bruyne starts. My chips are on Belgium.
Says a lot about the dysfunction of that French team watching the Swiss players and staff console those that missed penalties.. Tough for Sommer and Switzerland.
It was clear Vargas was going to miss. As he walked up, he was gray and looked like he was going to puke.
Spain deserved to go through in my eyes. They controlled the whole match. The Swiss fought valiantly though to not give up a second goal in regulation and the extra periods but I really do not like their style of play.