Spain’s Mikel Oyarzabal struck the winning penalty after Switzerland’s Ruben Vargas fired over the bar as Spain won 3-1 in a shootout following a 1-1 draw in their European Championship quarter final on Friday.

Spain, ranked sixth in the world, also needed extra-time to defeat Croatia in the last 16 despite leading 3-1 with five minutes of normal time to play.

In regulation time, Spain took an early lead when left-back Jordi Alba’s shot from outside the box was deflected into his own net by Denis Zakaria. But Xherdan Shaqiri profited from a defensive error to level the score at 1-1, before the Swiss lost midfielder Remo Freuler to a straight red card on 77 minutes.

Not surprisingly given their numerical advantage, Spain dominated extra-time and created a host of chances as Switzerland played for spot-kicks, perhaps mindful that their opponents had missed their last five penalties, including two against them in a Nations League game in November.

Swiss goalkeeper Yann Sommer was brilliant under the bar, especially during the latter part of the second half and extra-time.

Sommer, who plays for Bundesliga side Borussia Monchengladbach, made a string of outstanding saves to take the match to the tie-breaker. Unfortunately for Sommer, his teammates missed three spot-kicks, which ultimately proved costly.

After beating world champions 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, still waiting to win a European Championship quarter final.