Well thank you so much for joining me for this match! Bonmati led a Spain masterclass to thump their way through to the quarter-finals for the first time ever. Switzerland’s wait to go beyond the first round of a knock-out stage continues. Make sure you keep up to date with our Norway Japan blog but for now have a read of the report:
Spain’s win means they will face either the Netherlands or South Africa in the quarter-finals. The Netherlands and South Africa play their last 16 match tomorrow.
The big team news for Japan v Norway is that Ada Hegerberg returns but she will start on the bench. Sophie Haug, who scored a hat-trick against the Philippines, starts up front.
I absolutely love our Golden Boot page which automatically updates as goals and assists happen! Japan’s Hinata Miyazawa tops the charts at the moment:
Here’s more information on Bonmati from our player interactive:
Japan and Norway face off next, our live coverage has begun with kick-off in just over 45 minutes:
Bonmati’s footwork in the box was phenomenal today. She is a key player to this Spain team and the stats back me up – these stats come with the star playing 77 minutes:
Aitana Bonmati vs Switzerland:
— Ameé Ruszkai (@ameeruszkai) August 5, 2023
86 touches
63/70 passes completed
24/29 in final third
8 times possession won
4 chances created
4/6 duels won
2 assists
2 goals
Magic ✨ pic.twitter.com/38JKqiqr1p
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Thalmann made her Switzerland debut in 2007 and she accumulated over 100 caps for the national team. At this World Cup she was Player of the Match against Costa Rica and she didn’t concede a goal throughout the group stage. Her saves at the 2022 Euros also made her a household name. At club level she has won domestic titles in Germany, Italy and Switzerland. A hugely impressive career and I will certainly miss her masterful saves.
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Before we focus on the brilliance of Bonmati we need to take a look at Thalmann’s career – what a keeper.
Here is the only goal of the second half (it is a BBC clip and so some may not have access)
It's safe to say Spain are heading into the #FIFAWWC quarter finals #SUI #ESP pic.twitter.com/QnYL7HDpEd
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) August 5, 2023
Full time! Switzerland 1-5 Spain
A Bonmati masterclass sees Spain win their first-ever knock-out match at a major tournament. They have secured a quarter-final spot in dominant fashion which only saw Switzerland have two attempts on goal. And while Switzerland are out of the World Cup, Thalmann bows out of international football.
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90 + 3 min: Guerrero concedes a free kick right by the corner, Bachmann takes it and Coll confidently plucks the ball out of the air. Humm has an attempt from a long way out but it’s wide.
90 + 1 min: Switzerland have a free kick, won by Martiz. Bachmann takes it and it’s picked up by Calligaris, she loses out but it’s out for a throw. There will be four minutes added.
90 min: Spain are managing the game well too here, they are playing it through their back line running down the clock. It would be a miracle if Switzerland staged a comeback but Spain doing all they can to not allow them to score again.
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88 min: Well if any of us had doubts over Spain’s chances at this World Cup after their defeat to Japan they have done well to dispel them – particularly through Bonmati’s threat. They still look a little vulnerable when teams counter.
86 min: Bachmann tries to cross in but Batlle marshals the ball out. Spain make another change with Paralluelo off for Del Castillo and Switzerland make a change with Riesen replaced by Marti.
84 min: Batlle has a shot but it’s over the bar and Switzerland have an attack now.
82 min: A great move from Thalmann! Paralluelo crosses in and the keeper takes it away for a corner. It comes in but is initially cleared, it comes out with a thunderous hit but Thalmann punches away and out for another corner. The set piece this time comes to noting.
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80 min: Calligaris has a good run and it’s crossed in, Switzerland want a penalty with a foul in the box but it isn’t given.
78 min: Batlle slices through the Switzerland defence like a knife through hot butter, she tries to win a corner but it’s out for a goal kick. Spain make changes with Putellas and Guerrero is on for Hermoso and Bonmati. A great match for Bonmati who will surely be named Player of the Match.
76 min: Paralluelo takes the free kick but it is straight at the wall. She picks up the rebound but her pass is out of play. Switzerland make another change with Piubel off for Humm.
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74 min: Navarro makes a great break and wins a free kick, Stierli gets a yellow card also.
72 min: You can see Thalmann’s frustration, she is urging her defenders to stop making those errors. This is not how she would have wanted her final match to go – the keeper is retiring when Switzerland finish their World Cup campaign.
GOAL! Switzerland 1-5 Spain (Hermoso, 70')
A poor clearance meets Spain and Hermoso punishes them. A great goal, Thalmann could not do anything about that!
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70 min: Bachmann’s pass to Crnogorcevic has too much on it, the tale of Switzerland’s game today. However, they are much improved in this half.
68 min: A great ball for Terchoun who was tackled by Codina – the Swiss wanted a free kick but it isn’t given. Spain work it back up the other end and Martiz does well to cut out the cross.
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66 min: Paralluelo wins a corner as Maritz sees it out. The Barcelona star is over the set piece but this time it is cleared.
65 min: Spain taking the pace out of the game at the moment, maybe sensing Switzerland’s growing threat. Paralluelo eventually gets it into the area but it’s cleared. Spain make changes with Gonzalez and Abelleira off for Navarro and Perez
62 min: Redondo has a long range effort but it is over the bar. A lot of tempered build-up play from Spain follows.
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60 min: Switzerland alive again but Codina closes off a pass destined for Riesen, where was this Switzerland in the first half?
58 min: That was Switzerland’s first attempt at goal and it came in the 57th minute, more of that and they could throw a punch. Here come Spain once again but Thalmann this time is able to collect.
57 min: Switzerland can’t get out of their own half and now Bachmann coughs up possession for a foul. Spain makes a huge cross but Thalmann does well to punch the ball away from the dangerous feet of Gonzalez. Switzerland counter now and they have a lovely bit of play with Terchoun’s shot saved by Coll.
55 min: Abelleira takes the corner but Riesen clears, Batlle quickly has it back in the box but Gonzalez can’t control and Switzerland can relieve some pressure. Walti then wins a free kick in her own half and Switzerland build from deep.
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53 min: Some of Spain’s passes are a bit loose in the early stages in the second half and this time Redondo is offside. They are quickly in attack again and Paralluelo has a shot, Thalmann sees it out for a corner.
51 min: Terchoun is back to her feet and okay to continue, play is back underway!
50 min: Terchoun is fouled and she is receiving treatment. While we wait for play to get back underway Amar has got in touch: “Random fact - did you know that Switzerland’s Alisha Lehmann has over 14 million Instagram followers? Roger Federer has to make do with around 11 million…” I had to check these numbers were right and they are! We love that for Lehmann.
49 min: Batlle is such a menace, she makes a great run to ignite the Spanish attack early in this second half but a pass from Hermoso to Hernandez has too much on it. Mauron, Calligaris and Terchoun on for the Swiss by the way.
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47 min: Switzerland make a triple change at half-time but they have no announced who is on for who – I’ll let you know when I do!
Back underway! Switzerland 1-4 Spain
Can Switzerland create something here? Or will Spain continue to run away with it? The match is back in action.
Bonmati is working her way up the Golden Boot standings, follow that live:
Spain have had 18 attempts at goal, six on target. Switzerland have had zero, zilch, nada. Two different sides of a coin today.
If I open a shop I want Bonmati as an employee because the way she sold the Switzerland defenders she’d make me so much profit! Have a look at her two goals (clips are from the BBC and so some may not have access):
That didn't take long!
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) August 5, 2023
Spain lead Switzerland within the first five minutes.#FIFAWWC #ESP #SUI pic.twitter.com/paS558oIvF
Aitana Bonmati at the double!
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) August 5, 2023
Spain are running riot against Switzerland in this first half.#FIFAWWC #SUI #ESP pic.twitter.com/w5ghXRhloa
Before this match Switzerland had not conceded a goal in the tournament and now they’ve let four in. I think the majority of that blame can’t be laid at Thalmann’s door who has made a good few saves.
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Half-time! Switzerland 1-4 Spain
Well what a half! Spain devastatingly dominant, particularly through Bonamti and Redondo. The team have scored all five goals in the first 45 after Codina hit an own goal but she made up for it with a goal on her own side of the scoreboard. A masterclass from Spain, shambolic from Switzerland.
45 + 4 min: Paralluelo has a shot blocked, I hope Switzerland are able to find their feet in the second half otherwise this could be a cricket score.
45 + 3 min: I said Switzerland look like a team already beaten and that corner was evidence of that.
45 + 1 min: Hang on though, I think they are checking it! VAR do and it stands. There will be four minutes added.
GOAL! Switzerland 1-4 Spain (Codina, 45')
What a way to make up for scoring an own goal! The ball pinballs and she pops it home, wow.
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44 min: Spain corner once again, keep an eye on Paredes!
44 min: Gilly Flaherty on the BBC highlighted it so I won’t take credit but Switzerland’s players on the right are completely free when they attack but they keep playing it down the left. Spain on the build-up again, could they get another before half-time? They nearly do! They can’t get it out from under their feet and Switzerland clear for now, wow.
42 min: Paralluelo that was lovely! Her footwork ignites yet another Spain attack and it comes in, Thalmann punches away. Switzerland look like a team beaten already.
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40 min: Paralluelo takes the corner and it comes to Paredes but she can’t direct her header on target. Bachmann is on the deck here after a battle with Batlle but I think she is okay to continue. She is!
38 min: Spain have won a corner and of course it was Bonmati who won it, what isn’t she doing for her team today?!
38 min: I warned Switzerland about allowing Bonmati to have space on the ball and they didn’t listen! She has time to turn, take a touch and rally it in the back of the net. What a play Bonmati is. Ballon d’Or nomination anyone?
GOAL! Switzerland 1-3 Spain (Bonmati, 36')
Bonmati, who else? She works the ball well in the box and Thalmann’s stretch can’t keep it out.
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34 min: Paralluelo takes it and Thalmann makes a huge save! The keeper punches away initially, Bonmati then takes a shot and Thalmann pushes it out for another corner. It comes in but it ends with Reuteler being fouled.
33 min: Thalmann stop that! Lovely hands from the keeper as Batlle puts in a great cross, it comes to Bonmati and it’s out for corner.
32 min: A lovely play with Bachmann but her pass to Aigbogun is blocked. Switzerland try to set up another attack but it fizzles out once more. The own goal has them in this but Switzerland do not look capable of winning this at the moment.
30 min: That is not a bad effort at all! Abelleira takes a shot from outside the box and it troubles Thalmann enough for her to jump for it but it’s over the bar anyway. Edward has got in touch and said: “I’m curious how the own goal will affect Spain’s uncapped keeper Coll. It wasn’t her fault, Spain was pushing up and Codina whipped the back pass with too much zip and without noticing her keeper had also pushed up. But that was not the thing to settle a rookie keeper’s nerves.” Yeah, keepers never want to concede but for that to be the first she concedes on the international stage is a nightmare! I think if Switzerland had punished Spain more for the mistake Coll may have been more shaken but they haven’t at all.
28 min: Spain do play a possession based game and so Switzerland will know they won’t have a lot of the ball, but what they do have they need to make more of. Hermoso pops the ball in but Thalmann punches away.
26 min: Spain’s ball recovery is eight seconds, Switzerland’s is 23! Bachmann on the ball not though and she lays it off to Sow, she crosses in but no one can get to it. Switzerland need more moments like that.
24 min: Bonmati whips the ball into the box but Paralluelo can’t get a head to it but Spain come again. It’s crossed in but this time the Swiss defenders can clear, Paralluelo gets a shot away but she fouls ad Switzerland can clear.
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22 min: So sorry I initially said Abelleira had scored the own goal, it was actually Codina – I was so shocked! Spain continue to dominate in possession here.
20 min: Codina will be thankful to Redondo for getting Spain ahead once again! But Spanish fans will be frustrated as the own goal has Switzerland still in this. It has been all Spain still, Switzerland’s open play is stunted.
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GOAL! Switzerland 1-2 Spain (Redondo, 18')
Spain keep peppering the goal and Redondo get a great header. Batlle with a stunning cross.
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17 min: A really good block from Maritz and Gonzalez has a lovely bit of footwork, she ahs a shot but Martiz sees it out for a corner. It comes in but Paredes again can’t get to it.
15 min: The ball is whipped in but Paredes can’t get her shot on target.
15 min: I am still stunned by that own goal, Codina looked crushed when it went in but Spain have to settle things here. Batlle tries to do just that as she makes a great run and wins a corner.
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13 min: I am stunned, I was just typing to describe a lack of Switzerland threat and the Spain do that?! What. I am speechless.
GOAL! Switzerland 1-1 Spain (OG Codina,11')
What has happened?! It’s pipped into the box and Gonzalez gets a head to it but it’s over the bar. OH MY GOD, what was that?! Codina whacks it back to Coll and it’s in.
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10 min: Okay I can forgive giving Bonmati space on the ball once but twice? She is able to ping the ball in and eventually Hermoso wins a corner.
8 min: Now the onus will be on Switzerland to score, which they haven’t done since their opening match. Riesen is getting a bit of treatment after a sliding tackle.
7 min: Bonmati had so much space on the ball there, she made a lovely turn and no one is stopping that! That is the first goal Switzerland have conceded at this World Cup.
GOAL! Switzerland 0-1 Spain (Bonmati, 5')
Switzerland clear it off the line after Thalmann makes a great save but it comes back to Bonmati and she isn’t missing!
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5 min: Gerard has emailed and said: “In western Canada and this the most bizarre tournament I remember with matches varying between as early as 7 pm and 5 am. A 10 hour swing. Lots of time zones in there Tonight is pretty good. This match is 11pm and opening a bottle of wine. Really looking forward to Japan Norway which is on here at 2 am.” Yes that also should be a good match, we will have live coverage of that one too! Enjoy your wine, I’ve just started my first coffee of the day! Back to this match and Spain have won possession on halfway.
4 min: Switzerland find Bachmann again but she is crowded out but soon it’s Spain who are on the attack. Abelleira has a pass to the edge of the box but Swiss’ defence holds strong.
2 min: A steady start to this one as both teams find their feet though there is a slightly nervous moment as Bachmann hunts down a back pass to Coll but they keeper collects.
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Kick-off! Switzerland 0-0 Spain
Here we go then! Who can make history here? A quarter-final spot is at stake!
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A lovely bit of news to have a read of before this match:
The players are out at Eden Park and the anthems will shortly follow! A huge game is imminent.
John has got in touch and said: “What’s the thinking behind Alexia Putellas on the bench? Is she being saved until later in the game when the Suisse defence tires?” I wish I knew, I think if I was a coach and had Putellas in my team she’d start every time! If Vilda sheds any light on his decisions I’ll let you know.
Our very own Suzy Wrack and Sophie Downey have ranked the teams from the group stage in terms of their performances, have a read of the piece:
Chris has got in touch and said: “Watching at 10p pacific in Oregon. Olga Carmona has been captain up until now, playing the Jordi Alba winger role with great aplomb. I’m surprised she’s dropped -- and don’t know who the captain is in her stead?” Yes a few of Jorge Vilda’s changes have raised eyebrows, the captain for Spain for this match is Esther Gonzalez.
Neither Switzerland or Spain have made it past the last 16 at a Women’s World Cup before, a team will be making history today!
Switzerland may be struggling to find the back of the net themselves but they are only one of three teams yet to concede a goal. Jamaica and Japan are the other two countries who have not yet conceded.
It is almost 5.30am in the UK where I am but I only managed to get a few hours sleep as my neighbours were being so loud! Have you got any annoying/funny neighbour stories? Get in touch and let me know via Twitter or email.
Switzerland manager Inka Grings has said: “It [attacking play] was something that we analysed intensively, we talked through with the team and [we will look to] also take the offensive players, assertive players, bring them more into the team. Of course we have to be more assertive in that run towards the goal.”
“These types of defeats leave a deep mark upon us,” Spain manager Jorge Vilda said on the Japan defeat. “But they are also necessary in the evolutionary development of the team and process of growth. We haven’t forgotten about it and we will not forget about it.” And on their opponents: “Switzerland have something very valuable, that in three games no-one scored a goal against them. That means that the defence is very solid.”
Spain have made five changes to the team who lost to Japan. Misa Rodriguez, Olga Carmona, Rocia Galvez, Mariona Caldentey and Alexia Putellas make way for Catalina Coll, Oihane Hernandez, Laia Codina, Esther Gonzalez and Alba Redondo. Some big calls in there!
Spain starting XI: Coll; Batlle, Paredes, Hernandez, Codina; Abelleira, Bonmati, Hermoso; Gonzalez, Redondo, Paralluelo.
🙌 𝗢𝗙𝗜𝗖𝗜𝗔𝗟 I ¡ESTA ES LA ALINEACIÓN DE ESPAÑA PARA LOS OCTAVOS DE FINAL!
— Selección Española Femenina de Fútbol (@SEFutbolFem) August 5, 2023
😍 ¡𝐀 𝐩𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐨𝐝𝐚𝐬, 𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐩𝐨!
🆚 #SUI - #ESP #JugarLucharYGanar I #FIFAWWC pic.twitter.com/4wA3IDTf68
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The team news is in! Switzerland have made no changes from the team who drew with New Zealand in their final group match
Switzerland starting XI: Thalmann; Stierli, Maritz, Riesen, Aigbogun; Reuteler, Sow, Walti; Crnogorcevic, Bachmann, Piubel.
Spain news is here so stay tuned!
Aufstellung / Composition / Formazione
— 🇨🇭 Nati (@nati_sfv_asf) August 5, 2023
🕕 7:00 CET
📺 SRF 2, RTS 2, RSI La 2#natimiteuch #lanatiavecvous #lanaticonvo pic.twitter.com/LaGIHI7b7L
Preamble
Did you miss the World Cup action yesterday? I sure did and what a game we have on our hands to get things started up again. Switzerland v Spain is the first of eight last 16 matches and this, of course, is the start of knock-out football!
The excitement and tense edge to these fixtures will ooze over every part of the pitch. If we are level after 90 minutes we will head for extra time and then penalties. I can’t imagine we will see a goalless draw between these two sides but if it is eventually we will see a goal due to the nature of this stage.
Switzerland finished top of their group after recording a win and two draws. The team have not scored a goal since their opening match with their other two games ending 0-0. Spain, meanwhile, ended their group as runners-up and were thumped by Japan in their final match.
Japan beat Spain 4-0 which saw the former top the group. Spain have also registered wins over Zambia and Costa Rica. Despite their big loss to Japan, Spain will be the favourites to win this match but with how this World Cup has gone there is no telling what could happen!
The team news will be out shortly, stay tuned!
