Women’s World Cup: Spain into quarter-finals after thrashing Switzerland

Spain are through to the quarter-finals of the Women’s World Cup for the first time after hitting five goals past Switzerland in the round of 16.

Aitana Bonmati scored twice, with Alba Redondo, Laia Codina and Jennifer Hermoso also netting in the 5-1 win.

Codina had earlier scored an own goal too when her back pass went past her own goalkeeper from close to the halfway line.

Spain had lost their final group game 4-0 to Japan and manager Jorge Vilda responded by making five changes to the starting eleven.

Goalkeeper Cata Coll made her debut for Spain but could do nothing to stop conceding the Switzerland goal. Codina’s wild back-pass had far too much weight on and Switzerland were gifted an equaliser in the 11th minute.

Bonmati had earlier given Spain the lead when she scored from the edge of the area and Redondo headed in for Spain’s second.

The third came in the 36th minute and it was Bonmati again who finished calmly through the Swiss backline.

Codina made amends for her own goal by scoing Spain’s fourth just before half time. The Swiss defence failed to deal with a corner and Codina was there to finish from close range.

Hermoso completed the scoring in the second half when she punished Switzerland for a poor clearance by curling the ball past goalkeeper Gaelle Thalmann.

Spain will play either the Netherlands or South Africa in the quarter-finals.

Cover Photo: Flag of Spain, Undated” by nathanh100 is licensed under CC BY 2.0 .