For more than two weeks "La Nati", as the women's national team is affectionately known, captivated Switzerland with red-shirted fans thronging sold-out stadiums to see them qualify for the knockout stage of the Euros for the first time.

Spain ended Switzerland’s dreamy midsummer run through its home Women’s European Championship in a 2-0 win in the quarterfinals on Friday despite missing two penalty kicks. Swiss resistance was broken by the world champion’s two goals in a five-minute spell midway through the second half.

Spain have advanced to the semi-final of the Women's Euros for the first time since 1997 after beating hosts Switzerland 2-0 in Bern. The 2023 World Cup winners took more than an hour to break through the home team's determined defence, with Mariona Caldentey missing a penalty in the ninth minute.