Supporters celebrate from Madrid to St Petersburg, as Spain make it to the Euro 2020 semi-final

Spain suffered more penalty jitters but squeezed past Switzerland 3-1 in an error-strewn shootout to reach the Euro 2020 semi-finals on Friday after their battling opponents clung to a 1-1 draw despite going down to ten men.

The three-times European champions' keeper Unai Simon saved from Switzerland's Manuel Akanji and Fabian Schar while Ruben Vargas hammered his shot over the bar.

Spain's Sergio Busquets and Rodri squandered their kicks but Gerard Moreno and Dani Olmo converted, leaving it for Mikel Oyarzabal to strike the decisive spot-kick in St Petersburg.

That helped erase the memory of defeat on penalties to hosts Russia in Moscow at the 2018 World Cup, and came after a terrible run from the spot which had seen Spain miss their last five penalties, including two earlier in the tournament.

"I was really suffering, it was unbearable, you should score five goals against Switzerland," said David Fuente, who watched the match in Madrid.

"Now I feel relief but it was to much for my body. We should not suffer against Switzerland. You can suffer against Italy or France but not against Switzerland," said Alfonso Olaya.

Hoping to win their first of four quarter-final appearances in major tournaments, Switzerland deservedly levelled in the 68th minute when Xherdan Shaqiri cashed in on a mix-up in the Spain defence.

The Swiss cause was complicated by Remo Freuler being shown a straight red card in the 77th minute, yet they held on to force the extra period and somehow survived a Spain onslaught to make it to spot-kicks.

Despite beating France 5-4 on penalties in the last 16 by scoring all their kicks, only Mario Gavranovic could beat Simon and the Swiss were left heartbroken.

Spirits were high among the Spanish fans leaving St Petersburg's Gazprom Arena after the match, while Switzerland supporters found solace in having watched their tenacious team play a great match.

Spain, though, are rewarded with a trip to London's Wembley Stadium to face either Belgium or Italy and are dreaming of a first major final since winning Euro 2012.
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