Spain Triumphs Over Switzerland In Euro 2025 Semi-Finals Thanks To Del Castillo's Impact

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Spain's head coach, Montse Tome, expressed her satisfaction with Athenea del Castillo's performance in their 2-0 win against Switzerland at Euro 2025. Del Castillo and Claudia Pina scored in the second half, propelling Spain to the semi-finals for the first time since 1997. Despite missing several early chances, including a penalty by Mariona Caldentey, Spain eventually found their rhythm.

Tome highlighted the team's ability to manage possession and structure effectively, which limited Switzerland's counterattacks. "It was a high-level match," she said. "Switzerland defended well early on while we looked for ways to score, but we managed possession and structure effectively to prevent their counterattacks - they barely had any shots."

Athenea del Castillo made an immediate impact after coming off the bench, scoring just over three minutes later with a finish past Livia Peng. This marked her second consecutive goal in Euro appearances after not scoring in her first six matches. Tome praised Del Castillo's flair and attacking presence, noting her contribution to maintaining possession and scoring in tight spaces.

Switzerland's midfielder Smilla Vallotto played all four matches in her first major international tournament. She was proud of her team's effort despite the loss. Vallotto stated: "We stood up to Spain pretty well for 65 or 70 minutes, so it's bad to concede two. We tried our best, which is most important."

Claudia Pina added another goal soon after Del Castillo's strike, with Alexia Putellas missing a late penalty. Tome acknowledged the challenge posed by Switzerland's compact defence and home crowd support but emphasised patience as key to breaking through.

Impact on Future Generations

Vallotto hopes the tournament will inspire more young people to play football. "The fans were crazy—they were still cheering us on even though we lost," she said. "I hope the tournament pushes more people to start playing football—both young girls and boys."

The victory was significant for Spain as they overcame a resilient Swiss side. Tome was particularly pleased with how Del Castillo contributed to the team's width and attacking presence on the right side.

Spain now looks forward to their semi-final match as they aim for further success in Euro 2025. The team’s defensive solidity and strategic patience were crucial in securing this victory against Switzerland.