Switzerland have in recent times been that team people were surprised to see so high in the Fifa rankings, but this summer they have proven their worth on the big stage, having made history at the European Championship.

Since 2012, Switzerland have been no lower than 16th in the Fifa world rankings, often above football nations that they might not be expected to top. They now sit in 13th place, one below Germany and three spots above the Netherlands.

Swiss manager Vladimir Petkovic said his team could leave the European Championship with their heads high after being eliminated by Spain on penalty kicks in the quarter finals on Friday.

An equaliser by captain Xherdan Shaqiri in the second half cancelled an early own goal and sent the teams to overtime, but two of the Swiss penalty kicks were stopped and one missed the target. Switzerland beat France on penalties in the round of 16.

“All these players were the heroes of the night. They would have deserved to go to the semi-finals,” Petkovic told a media conference. “I cannot complain and I take my hat off to the team.”

Petkovic said he could not blame Ruben Vargas for hitting his penalty over the bar in the shootout, saying instead that his player had demonstrated mental strength by even taking a spot-kick after such a long and gruelling match.

Manuel Akanji’s and Fabian Schar’s penalty kicks were both stopped by Spanish goalkeeper Unai Simon.

“We had to spend all our power and energy, and our energy ran out a little,” said Petkovic.

“Penalty kicks are a lottery and we lost it.”

Petkovic said he had not properly seen the tackle in the 77th minute that led to the red card against Remo Freuler — who had an assist for the Switzerland equaliser — but thought it had looked more like a minor foul.

Freuler slid to win the ball back but caught Gerard Moreno in the process.

“I question it a little bit, to be honest,” Petkovic said.

“He (Freuler) maybe touched him a little.”