The 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup continued Friday, as Switzerland faced Spain in the first game of the round of 16 at Eden Park in Auckland, New Zealand.
Switzerland entered the match as the Group A victor, allowing no goals in the group stage.
Spain, the No. 2 team out of Group C, wasn’t worried about that at all, scoring four goals against Switzerland in the first half (plus an own goal) to build a 4-1 lead.
It was the first time a team scored four goals in the first half of a women’s World Cup knockout stage game since 2015, when USA scored four against Japan in first half of the final.
From there, Spain cruised to victory — the first time the country has ever won a game in the knockout stage of the World Cup — earning a spot in the quarterfinals, where it will face the winner of the Netherlands vs. South Africa (Saturday at 10 p.m. ET on FOX and the FOX Sports app).
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70′: HERMOSO
One of Spain’s top goalscorers heading into the affair continued her hot tear in this one, making Switzerland pay for a giveaway by uncorking a torpedo shot into the left corner of the net.
Spain’s Jennifer Hermoso Fuentes scores goal vs. Switzerland in 70′ | 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup
Watch Spain’s Jennifer Hermoso Fuentes scoring a goal against Switzerland in the 70′ in the 2023 Women’s FIFA World Cup.
56′: Nice stop!
Spain had the offense clicking in the first half, and its defense got in on the party in the second, as it continued to hold Switzerland off.
45′: Making up for it
Just before halftime, Laia Codina redeemed herself after an early mishap, heading in a corner kick to put La Roja up 4-1.
Spain’s Laia Codina scores goal vs. Switzerland in 45′ | 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup
Watch Spain’s Laia Codina scoring a goal against Switzerland in the 45′ in the 2023 Women’s FIFA World Cup.
36′: Two for Bonmatí!
This piece of footwork from Aitana Bonmatí was just amazing. So much so that it dropped a Swiss defender, and froze the goalkeeper, as Spain took a 3-1 lead in the 36th minute. It’s the fourth brace by a Spanish player in World Cup history, and third from Spain in these games (Hermoso Fuentes, Alba Maria Redondo Ferrer).
Spain’s Aitana Bonmati scores goal vs. Switzerland in 36′ | 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup
Watch Spain’s Aitana Bonmati scoring a goal against Switzerland in the 36′ in the 2023 Women’s FIFA World Cup.
17′: We’re back!
Spain quickly regained its composure, punching back with an admirable header from Alba Maria Redondo Ferrer
Spain’s Alba Maria Redondo Ferrer scores goal vs. Switzerland in 17′ | 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup
Watch Spain’s Alba Maria Redondo Ferrer scoring a goal against Switzerland in the 17′ in the 2023 Women’s FIFA World Cup.
11′: What. Just. Happened?
Spain quickly lost its momentum on a self-inflicted wound, as poor communication between a defender and her goalie resulted in an own goal.
Spain’s Teresa Abilleira scores an own goal in 11′ | 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup
Watch Spain’s Teresa Abilleira scoring a own goal in the 11′ in the 2023 Women’s FIFA World Cup.
5′: GOOALLLLLL!!
Well, that didn’t take long. After Switzerland’s goalie made a wonderful stop on a shot attempt, La Roja quickly rallied to the ball to capitalize on its opponent’s vulnerability. It was the first goal Switzerland allowed all tournament long.
Spain’s Aitana Bonmati Conca scores goal vs. Switzerland in 5′ | 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup
Watch Spain’s Aitana Bonmati Conca scoring a goal against Switzerland in the 5′ in the 2023 Women’s FIFA World Cup.
3′: Tested early
Spain’s Catalina Coll made her international debut in the match, and was quickly forced to make a play to ward off a Swiss attack.
PREGAME
Putellas out of Spain’s starting lineup
Spain entered the game with massive changes to its starting lineup, including Alexia Putellas and Mariona Caldentey moving to the bench. The squad will also start Catalina Coll in goal, who is making her debut in these games in place of Maria Rodriguez.
Steady Swiss
The Swiss, meanwhile, will go with the same starting lineup for the third straight game.
Setting the stage
The World Cup NOW crew previewed the match live on Twitter.
Check out the full Women’s World Cup schedule and how to watch each match live here. Find the latest scores here.
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