This was the performance of the national team players against Sweden:
Unai Simon: Very focused and attentive to the Swiss counterattacks. He risked the game with his foot to start the superiority from his line. He endured the Swiss attacks and could not do more in the goal. In the penalty shootout he stopped two emulating Iker Casillas in 2008.
Azpilicueta: Life insurance. He joined the attack in the stopped ball actions and connected a header that came out centered in the first half. He sustained the team at times when Switzerland created many problems on the counterattack. He finished right central.
Laporte: Insufficient.
Pau Torres: Well at the beginning of the game, he lacked being more expeditious in several sets. He appeared in the photo of the tying goal to one of Switzerland due to the shot that Laporte put him, which was left over in that play. He left his place to Thiago Alcántara in the second half of extra time.
Sunrise: It is a trusted corner of the team. He starts the game the same way he ends it by reaching the baseline and always returns with discretion. From a formidable volley of his at the exit of a corner came the 1-0. He knew how to suffer in defense and showed his leadership.
Busquets: Steal and play, play and steal. He always gives a pass option to his teammates and pushes the team to pressure, but when the opponent makes rapid transitions he suffers to run backwards in the transition attack defense of his team. The game was long with extra time, but he always showed his face. He deceived the goalkeeper well on his penalty, but it went to the post.
Koke: Essential. Maintains the perfect team gear to impose position and possession football. Each game with the National Team feels more comfortable for him. He left his place to Marcos in the 90th minute and should have continued in extra time.
Pedri: It seems that he has a hundred games with Spain. At 18, he does almost everything well. He suffered in the second half with the fast transitions of Switzerland. He needs to shoot at the door. He was traded for the first time in the championship with two minutes remaining to finish overtime.
Ferran: It faced, overflowed, and performed superclass controls. He sacrificed himself in defense. He started from the far right, then he was from the far left and finished the ninety regulation minutes. He deserved the goal. He was substituted before extra time began by Oyarzabal.
Morata: In his line of doing everything the team needs, giving depth, coming to receive, opening the band, pressing. He had no clear chance to score. Luis Enrique gave him oxygen in the 54th minute when he took out Gerard Moreno.
Sarabia: He attacked the spaces well and put good centers. When he plays on the right wing, he performs better. He received a kick in the ankle and from then on he was not at ease. He was substituted at half-time and Dani Olomo came in in his place.
Substitutions
Dani Olmo: He entered after the break for Sarabia. Dispute each ball as if it were the last and has the goal between eyebrows. He tried everything in overtime. He scored his penalty in the shoot with category.
Gerard Moreno: He left in the 54th minute for Álvaro Morata to play nine, although he finished the regulation minutes from the far right. He started the extension of nine and had two goals that he does not usually miss. In the penalty shootout he shot his, the fourth, very well.
Marcos Llorente: He entered in the 90th minute for Koke to play his first minutes under Luis Enrique in the middle. He moved like time in the water in his place and was able to score a couple of goals and scored several good centers. He showed that he can also play as a medium with the National Team's scheme.
Oyarzabal: He came out in extra time for Ferran Torres to play right winger, Gerard returning as center forward. It overflowed and created several occasions that did not enter. His legs did not tremble and he scored the decisive penalty giving Spain the pass to the semifinals, just like Cesc Fabregas did in the 2008 Euro Cup, overcoming the curse of the quarterfinals.
Thiago Alcantara: He entered in the 111th minute for Pau Torres, passing César Azpilicueta to be right central. He pushed the team with his passes in search of a goal that he deserved but did not arrive and the game went to penalties.
Rodri: He came out for Pedri in the 118th minute. He had a header from Marcos Llorente that went high. In the shootout, Sommer, the Swiss goalkeeper, saved the penalty.
Selector
Luis Enrique: From less to more. He only made changes on the defensive line and insisted on the two left-handed centrals. He kept his roadmap unchanged until when the Swiss pressed in the second half looking for a draw and Spain suffered in the transitions. When the tie came, he endured the changes thinking about a possible extension. Extra time came and Spain deserved to beat Switzerland, but made it to the semifinals on penalties.
