The UEFA Women's EURO 2025 quarter-final 3 features a compelling clash between reigning world champions Spain and tournament hosts Switzerland. The match is on Friday, 18 July 2025, at Wankdorf Stadium in Bern. This encounter marks Switzerland's first-ever quarter-final appearance while Spain are seeking a maiden European title.
La Roja enter as overwhelming favourites. They dominated Group B with three wins, scoring 14 goals. Switzerland advanced dramatically from Group A. A late equaliser against Finland secured their progression. This match presents a David versus Goliath narrative, blending Spain's technical supremacy with Switzerland's home advantage and emotional momentum.
EURO Journeys And Records
Spain's EURO history shows consistent quarter-final appearances but no titles, marking them as perennial contenders yet to conquer Europe. Their best performance came in 1997 when they reached the semi-finals. They exited at the quarter-final stage in 2013, 2017, and 2022 editions, demonstrating remarkable consistency while falling short of the final.
This campaign broke new ground: their three group-stage victories mark Spain's first perfect group record at any major tournament, surpassing previous benchmarks. Statistical dominance defines Spain’s 2025 campaign, as they scored 14 goals, equalling England's 2022 record. They average 4.67 goals per game, and seven different players scored, highlighting unparalleled attacking depth. Historically, Spain's tournament vulnerabilities include defensive fragility during aerial duels and susceptibility to counter-attacks, weaknesses that Switzerland may target.
Switzerland's EURO journey shows steady growth from outsiders to legitimate contenders. Before 2025, their tournament record included group-stage exits in 2017 and 2022, without a single knockout victory. This edition marks significant progress: their quarter-final qualification as Group A runners-up with four points represents their greatest achievement.
A resilient 1-1 draw against Finland proved key, as Riola Xhemaili's 92nd-minute equaliser secured their progression. Tactically, Switzerland balanced defensive solidity, conceding three goals in three games, with sporadic attacking bursts. Their four goals scored underscore efficiency rather than dominance. As hosts, they gained strong support, breaking national attendance records with 34,063 fans at the Norway match. Their journey embodies the tournament's narrative of a rising force.
Head-To-Head Record And Group Stage Paths
Historical encounters heavily favour Spain, who dominated Switzerland across competitive fixtures. Since 2011, Spain holds a 5-1 advantage in six meetings, scoring 25 goals to Switzerland's eight – an average margin of over three goals per game. Recent matchups are particularly lopsided: Spain’s 7-1 and 5-0 victories during 2023 Women's Nations League qualifying round showcased their technical superiority, exploiting Switzerland's defensive transitions and midfield gaps.
Switzerland's single victory dates back to EURO 2012 qualifying (2-1), though that result no longer holds direct relevance as both teams developed significantly since then. Crucially, Switzerland conceded 12 goals in their last three meetings with Spain (2019–2023), revealing defensive weaknesses against high-pressing, possession-oriented opponents. This record puts scrutiny on Switzerland's tactical adaptability before Friday's match.
Spain navigated Group B with authority, becoming the only team to win all three group-stage matches while setting offensive records. Their campaign began with a 5-0 win over Portugal – Spain's largest EURO victory – featuring braces from Esther Gonzalez and Alexia Putellas. Against Belgium, they came back from a 2-0 deficit to win 6-2, showcasing resilience through Mariona Caldentey's creativity and Patri Guijarro's midfield control. They finished the group stage with a 3-1 comeback win over Italy: after Elisabetta Oliviero scored for Italy, goals from Athenea del Castillo, Guijarro, and Gonzalez sealed top spot.
Tactically, Spain averaged 74% possession and 25 shots per game, utilising Putellas' playmaking (3 goals, 4 assists) and Gonzalez's scoring (4 goals). However, key concerns include goalkeeper Adriana Nanclares, who continues to play due to the injured Cata Coll, and Gonzalez’s fitness after she missed training.
Switzerland's progress relied on tenacity and home advantage, exemplified by dramatic late interventions. They opened with a credible 1-2 loss to Norway despite leading early through Geraldine Reuteler, which showed both promise and defensive vulnerability. A 2-0 victory against Iceland, propelled by goals from Svenja Folmli and Sandy Schertenleib, boosted their campaign under Pia Sundhage's pragmatic 3-5-2 system. Needing only a draw against Finland to qualify, they gave away an 80th-minute penalty before Riola Xhemaili's 92nd-minute equaliser made the nation rejoice.
Statistically, Switzerland averaged 54% possession and took 16 shots per game, but their four goals reveal they rely on key moments, not sustained pressure. Health concerns exist too: Julia Stierli and Coumba Sow missed training because of illness, which could disrupt Sundhage’s preferred midfield structure.
Key Player Battles And Tactical Insights
Alexia Putellas vs Lia Walti: This midfield duel pits Spain's creative engine against Switzerland's defensive anchor. Putellas, with three goals and four assists, dictates tempo through sharp passing (85% accuracy) and late runs into the box. Walti's role requires disrupting Putellas while starting Swiss counter-attacks, averaging 8.3 recoveries per game.
Esther Gonzalez vs. Noelle Maritz: If fit, Gonzalez, the tournament's leading scorer with four goals, will test Maritz's aerial dominance. Gonzalez's movement in central channels contrasts Maritz's physical marking – a battle likely decided by service quality.
Athenea del Castillo vs. Viola Calligaris: Del Castillo's dribbling (21 completed take-ons) threatens Calligaris, who struggled against Norway's wingers. Spain's right-side overloads could repeatedly isolate this matchup. Switzerland hopes Reuteler can exploit Spain's set-piece vulnerability, as Spain has conceded three goals from set-pieces. Spain will target Peng's goalkeeping in crowded boxes.
Coach Comments And Match Prediction
Spain's coach Montserrat Tome stresses humility despite their dominance: "We’ve started very well, meeting our objectives. We must stay patient and humble ahead of the next challenge." Her focus remains on tactical discipline, particularly against Switzerland's transitions. Tome may bring Aitana Bonmati back into the team after limited minutes, which would bolster midfield creativity.
Switzerland's Pia Sundhage embraces the underdog role: "This [qualification] is unreal! We’ll give our absolute best to make Switzerland proud." Sundhage will likely use a low-block 5-3-2 formation, employing Reuteler's counters and Walti's distribution to bypass Spain's press. Her selection challenges include whether Peng retains the goalkeeper spot despite Nanclares' form, and whether Stierli recovers in time.
Psychological factors favour Spain, but Switzerland's 14,000 fans could transform Bern into a fortress of emotion. Spain's firepower and historical dominance make them overwhelming favourites to advance. Their 14 group-stage goals, scored through multifaceted attacks (58% from open play, 25% from set-pieces), will overwhelm Switzerland's defence, which conceded against Finland and Norway.
Switzerland's path depends on defensive resilience: they must limit Spain to under 60% possession and exploit wide transitions targeting Spain's high full-backs. Prediction models suggest a 3-0 Spain victory, with Putellas scoring first and Spain covering a -1.5 handicap. An upset requires early Swiss pressure, set-piece proficiency, and Peng performing exceptionally well. Ultimately, Spain's pedigree in knockout football, coupled with Switzerland's inexperience at this stage, points toward a convincing Spanish victory en route to potential continental glory.
Spain vs Switzerland, UEFA Women's Euro 2025 Quarter-Final: Live Streaming Details
When and where will the Spain vs Switzerland, UEFA Women's Euro 2025 quarter-final be played?
The Spain vs Switzerland, UEFA Women's Euro 2025 quarter-final will be played at Wankdorf Stadium, Bern of Switzerland on Saturday, July 19, 2025 at 12:30 am IST.
Where will the Spain vs Switzerland, UEFA Women's Euro 2025 quarter-final be telecast and live streamed?
The Spain vs Switzerland, UEFA Women's Euro 2025 quarter-final will be live-streamed on the FanCode app and website in India. It will not be telecast on any TV channel in the country.
