Dominant Spain progress to last-8 for first time after 5-1 rout of Switzerland

Regular programming resumed for La Roja; Hannah Peters/Getty Images

Auckland, NZ: In the first match of the knockout round of the 2023 Women's World Cup, Spain steamrolled over Switzerland in a clinical 5-1 victory at Eden Park, Auckland to progress into the last-16 for the first time ever. Aitana Bonmati of Barcelona fame was the prime architect of her side's impressive offensive showing, bagging a brace of goals and assists. 

Despite a roadblock coming in the form of an own-goal by Laia Codina in the first half, she and Alba Redondo would score and reinstate their advantage, before Jenni Hermoso made it 5 in the second half.

“A 5-1 [victory] in the round of 16 is not easy,” said Bonmatí. “I have a lot of confidence in this team and now we are going for the quarter-finals.”

After the 4-0 humiliation handed by Japan in their last group stage match, a comeback of sorts was desired to reignite the confidence and erase whatever doubts that have accumulated on their dreams of vying for the ultimate prize. Their opponents in Switzerland, the winners of Group A, had an impressive record of 3 clean sheets, but with only 2 goals scored in a span of 270 minutes, all of them coming against the Philippines. 

They would concede four in the first half alone as Spain won't take long to rattle the net. In the 5th minute, Redondo was denied from close-range by a spectacular save from Thalmann, the ball almost rolling across the goalline. However, Redondo would regain hold of the ball and set up a magnificent strike for Bonmati, Thalmann frozen as the ball whizzed past her.

Disaster struck in the 12th minute as Spain attempted to replicate Italy in their recent match against South Africa, with Codina's back pass leaving goalkeeper Coll chasing the ball as it rolled agonizingly in Spain's own net to make it 1-1.

But La Roja soldiered on, playing with deft precision and a spring in their step, before Batlle's cross found Bonmati, who would redirect it to Redondo. Her header would catch Thalmann wrong-footed and helpless as Spain regained their lead in the 17th minute.

Redondo (left) with her 3rd goal of the tournament; Hannah Peters/Getty Images

Spain unpredictably dominated possession, but seemed to have shook off any negativity from their previous result, looking composed, dynamic and confident on the ball. Switzerland would be left starved for a touch on the ball, but showed great composure whenever in possession, methodically escaping Spain's high press. They won't make the most of their rare opportunities, as in the 25th minute, Bachmann slid an incisive through ball to Sow, whose shot flew across the face of goal.

Bonmati would strike again in the 36th minute, her goal one for the highlight reel. Pouncing on a loose ball before twisting the Swiss defence into knots with her movements, she would finish with great composure. Codina would later redeem herself, as the corner would drop the ball right in the face of goal, the Spanish defender then forcing the ball into the net and snatching whatever hope she inadvertently gave away to the Swiss.

A piece of genius from Bonmati (in blue); Phil Walter/Getty Images

Feeling the urgent need for a comeback, Switzerland would finally be granted with a golden opportunity, as Cnogorcevic's pass looped over the Spanish backline, leaving substitute Terchoun one-on-one with Coll, the latter relieved to come away with a rather comfortable save as the ball was aimed straight into her in the 57th minute.

Switzerland would absorb waves of relentless pressure, accompanied with some heroic and crucial interceptions, but perhaps karma came to even things out. Bonmati would be on the end of a sloppy pass from the Swiss defence, before her throughball finding Hermoso all alone with Thalmann, with the veteran curling a sumptuous shot to make it 5-1 in the 70th minute to bookend an emphatic victory.

Hermoso’s goal was the cherry on top; Phil Walter/Getty Images

"The World Cup begins today," was the reply from Jorge Vilda, the Spanish head coach, when asked about the words he gave to the players after the full-time whistle. “We have shown what we can do and without having the best version. So, in the end we have arrived, we have pressed well, we have made history, we have shown that we are a team of 23 players."

All eyes are again on La Roja, when they go head-to-head in the quarterfinals against the winner of the match between South Africa and the Netherlands.