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Spain let victory slip away in the final minutes against Switzerland in their U-19 Euros opener. David Aznar’s side turned around Emilie Mece’s opener with a brace from Ainoa Gómez, but Emanuela Pfister established the final 2-2 from a very debatable penalty in the 86th minute.
The introduction of Rosalía Domínguez at halftime changed the Spanish attack and allowed Spain to dominate much of the second half. The Barcelona player assisted Ainoa for the 1-2 goal and generated several of the best chances for a side that had opportunities to seal the game.
Spain started by pressing high and took control of the ball from the beginning. Ainoa Gómez tested the keeper early with a shot, and shortly after, Irune Dorado came close to scoring with a strike that shaved the post. The Spanish national team tried to set up in the opponent’s half against a deep-lying Switzerland, who were very focused on closing down central spaces.
In Spain’s build-up, the left-back tucked inside to form virtually a back three, while Emma Moreno advanced down the right to provide width. Her presence became one of Spain’s main attacking routes throughout the first half.
The match began to open up around the quarter-hour mark. Switzerland tried to attract the Spanish pressure to find space behind, although Spain managed to neutralize their first transitions. When they recovered the ball, the Swiss did not hesitate to stop their opponent’s quick counters.
Spain’s first great opportunity came in the 16th minute. Emma Moreno picked up a poor clearance from the Swiss defence and shot at the near post, forcing Zwyssig to push the ball out for a corner. In the subsequent corner kick, Irune Dorado hit the post with her shot, coming close to opening the scoring.
Switzerland then began to appear more frequently. They tried a long-range shot, and after a free-kick taken by their captain, Giulia Looser, Laia López caught the ball without difficulty.
The match then entered a more disorganized phase. Spain tried to slow down the pace with longer possessions, while Switzerland started to find some space. Julia Torres received the first yellow card of the match in the 22nd minute after arriving late by the touchline and stopping Laura Kott’s run.
The cooling break took place in a match played in high heat and humidity. After the break, Switzerland’s clearest chance up to that point arrived. The Spanish defence failed to clear, and Laia López’s exit left the goal unprotected. The Swiss attacker was already preparing to score, but Silvia Cristóbal made an extraordinary effort and stopped the action at the very last moment, virtually on the goal line.
Switzerland was growing. In the 29th minute, Melissa Rondalli saw yellow for a hard and late tackle on the Spanish captain in midfield. Spain managed to regain control for a few minutes and slow down the Swiss momentum, but could not prevent the opening goal.
In the 34th minute, Emilie Mece received the ball on the left side of the area and executed an extraordinary strike that beat Laia López overhead despite her stretch. Switzerland went ahead with a high-quality goal.
Spain’s response was immediate. Just two minutes later, a play that developed down the left ended at the feet of Ainoa Gómez in the attacking third. The Spaniard controlled and struck with extraordinary precision. The ball went right inside the post, placed in a minimal space, almost brushing the inside of the wood. One of those goals that look magnificent live and that replays make even better.
The equaliser did not cause Switzerland to crumble. Although Spain quickly neutralized their lead, the goal seemed to give the Swiss team the belief they had lacked at the start of the match. The Swiss kept competing, while Spain maintained the initiative and continued to load the area with crosses and diagonal balls.
Iris Ashley had another chance from a corner kick. She struck with her foot, as in the previous corner, and the ball went wide by a very narrow margin.
Spain pressed again in the final minutes. A clearance from the Swiss centre-back hit the referee and forced play to stop just as the national team was trying to maintain pressure. The ball went to Switzerland, Spain dropped back, and play started again from the back.
In the 43rd minute, Emma Moreno appeared again on the right. She controlled, entered the box, and shot without hesitation. Her strike went just wide. The full-back thus concluded a first half of great depth and offensive presence.
There was still time for one last dangerous counter. Julia Torres progressed down the left, cut into the box, and found Ainoa Gómez. The Spanish midfielder fell inside the area, but the referee did not signal anything.
After three minutes of added time, the score did not change again. Spain reached the break with more offensive presence and several clear chances, but Switzerland proved they could hurt their opponents and would not limit themselves to just defending.
Rosalía changes the game
David Aznar shifted the team at halftime with the introductions of Rosalía Domínguez and Natalia Escot for Celia Segura and Iris Ashley. Spain returned to the pitch with more pace and managed to pin Switzerland back around their area.
Yara Zwyssig had to intervene immediately. First she denied Ainoa Gómez, and then she responded to a close-range shot from Rosalía. The Swiss goalkeeper sustained her team during Spain’s best minutes.
Switzerland still found a dangerous outlet in the 57th minute. Emilie Mece capped a counterattack, but Laia López stood tall and prevented the second Swiss goal.
Spain continued to attack and found their reward in the 62nd minute. Rosalía received the ball near the left corner of the box, looked up, and found Ainoa Gómez arriving unmarked. The pass was perfectly measured, and Ainoa completed the turnaround with her second goal of the match.
The Spanish team had opportunities to extend their lead. Ainoa came close to completing her hat-trick, and Zwyssig continued to make saves to keep Switzerland in the match. Rosalía kept creating danger from the left, and Emma Moreno offered depth down the right.
In the 80th minute, David Aznar made a double substitution. Lúa Arufe replaced Ainoa Gómez, and Martina González came on for Julia Torres.
Switzerland finds the equaliser
Spain seemed to have the match under control, but everything changed in the 85th minute. The referee awarded a very debatable penalty to Switzerland in an action where there was barely any visible reason to penalise the Spanish team.
Emanuela Pfister took the penalty and shot low, very close to the post. Laia López guessed the side and dived in the right direction, but the shot was unstoppable.
Spain did not settle for 2-2. Two minutes later, Rosalía cut inside from the left again and looked for a cutback to Natalia Escot, who was ready to shoot, but the Swiss defence managed to intercept.
In stoppage time, Silvia Cristóbal tried to surprise from distance with a shot that beat the goalkeeper but went over the bar. Spain kept searching for a third until the end, playing with more heart than head.
The draw left a bitter feeling for David Aznar’s side. Spain had come back, created chances to seal the game, and dominated much of the second half, but Switzerland found the 2-2 from the penalty spot and managed to rescue a point in the final minutes.
