Switzerland 1-5 Spain: Vilda's side bounce back to advance in style

Spain qualified for the quarter-finals of the World Cup in style with a 5-1 thrashing of Switzerland in Auckland.

Jorge Vilda’s side bounced back emphatically from losing 4-0 to Japan in their final group game as they ran riot in the first half.

A brace from Aitana Bonmati alongside goals from Alba Redondo and Laia Codina, who had earlier sent a back pass into her own net to briefly bring Switzerland level, had Spain in complete control at the break.

Spain eased off the pedal in the second half but still dominated proceedings and made it five through Jenny Hermoso to set up a quarter-final clash with either the Netherlands or South Africa.

Switzerland went into the match having not conceded in the tournament, but it only took Spain five minutes to end that run.

Having seen her close-range shot saved by Gaelle Thalmann, Redondo was first to the rebound and rolled it to Bonmati, who turned and fired home from inside the area.

Switzerland levelled six minutes later in bizarre fashion as Codina sent a wayward, heavy back pass past Cata Coll in the Spain goal.

But normal service was resumed six minutes after that as Ona Battle’s cross was flicked on by Bonmati and turned home with her head by Redondo.

Spain were focused on making that Japan defeat a distant memory and could have made it three when a corner fell at the feet of Bonmati, but her volley from outside the area was tipped away by Thalmann.

Switzerland could not handle wave after wave of Spanish attack and they conceded a third in the 36th minute.

Redondo played the ball back to Bonmati, who turned away from two defenders inside the area and tucked home her second of the night.

Codina made amends for her own goal just before half-time. Teresa Abelleira’s corner caused confusion in the area and the Barcelona defender was first to react and bundled the ball home from close range.

Switzerland made three changes at the break and substitute Meriame Terchoun had a chance to cut the deficit, but her volley from close range went straight to Coll.

Spain grabbed a fifth with 20 minutes to go after Switzerland gave the ball away at the back and Hermoso raced through on goal and curled an effort into the far corner.

They almost had a sixth but Eva Navarro’s long-range effort was saved by Thallmann as Spain stormed into the last eight of the tournament for the first time in their history.