Spain hit five to storm past Switzerland and into the quarter-finals

Spain got off to a flying start, taking the lead in the fifth minute as Aitana Bonmati showed great composure to turn and fire past Gaelle Thalmann after the Switzerland goalkeeper had initially made a stunning save from point-blank range.

However, the Swiss were gifted a goal to draw level in bizarre circumstances as Laia Codina tried to pass back to her goalkeeper from near the halfway line but got her angles wrong, with the ball flying into her own net.

Just over five minutes later, Spain were back in front through Alba Redondo’s pinpoint header, and it was pure Spanish dominance for the remainder of the first half.

Bonmati completed her brace to make it 3-1 for Spain 10 minutes before the break and Codina made up for her bizarre own goal, taking advantage of a scramble in the box to poke home, giving Spain a three-goal lead going into the interval.

Switzerland responded in an attempt to turn things around with three half-time subs, all in midfield, but despite the changes in the middle of the park, it was Spain that continued to dominate possession and fired cross after cross into the Swiss box.

It took until around the hour mark for Spanish goalkeeper Cata Coll to be tested by a Swiss player, when Meriame Terchoun fired towards goal, but her effort was superbly stopped.

Despite a minor Swiss resurgence, Spain killed any chances of a comeback, scoring a fifth goal in the 70th minute thanks to Jennifer Hermoso, who took advantage of a poor clearance to make it 5-1 to Spain, who comfortably closed things out in the final minutes.

The title contenders will look to keep marching on in the quarter-finals, where they will face the winner of the Netherlands vs South Africa. As for Switzerland, getting out of the group was an achievement, but they couldn't get it going against a Spain side that was simply much better.

Flashscore Player of the Match: Aitana Bonmati (Spain)