PROGRESS. The score is clearly tough for a team that spared no expense. No doubt physically jaded by their quality but energy-consuming defensive performances, the Swiss no longer seemed to have the juice to show the same accuracy and clarity in defense as in the group stage. However, Switzerland have achieved their goal of reaching the round of 16, and the foundation provided by the coach is a good one to build on in the long term and work on attacking efficiency. The Swiss players have nothing to be ashamed of.

REACTION. After being beaten 4-0 by Japan and their pride hurt, the Spaniards had an excellent start to the match. Aitana Bonmati and Alba Redondo broke the Swiss barrier in the 5th minute. After a fantastic save from Gaëlle Thalmann, Redondo recovered and ideally served Bonmati who opened the way to goal with a beautiful hook before shooting. After the score was lowered – an unlikely own goal from Laia Codina – Bonmati parried an Ona Battle cross for Redondo who placed an unstoppable header. Bonmati, voted best player in the 2023 Champions League won by her club Barça, ended her very good first period with the 3-1. After a game of billiards in the area, Codina was able to increase the score in a first period that was head and shoulders dominated by Jorg Vilda’s players. A mass was said.

DOMINATION. The Spanish team has impressed and developed several levels above Switzerland. Supported by exceptional, technically superior players, it has, unfortunately for Switzerland, regained all its strength. The sterile domination of the match against Japan gave way to precise play in the breaks, to numerous calls that were undoubtedly favored by the Swiss generosity. Accurate, combative on second balls, they perfectly controlled set pieces, on which they systematically carried the danger. No regrets for Switzerland against a team that demonstrated the full extent of its talent and reached the round of 16 in three appearances for the first time in its history.

CHANGE. The entries from Sandrine Mauron, Meriame Terchoun and Viola Calligaris during half time did a lot of good. The Helvetians showed a better face after the break. Even when the damage was done, they had the merit of being able to keep playing and trying. Unfortunately, this tournament will not have been an offensive success for them. The great action of the 56th minute was therefore not rewarded. On a difficult ball, Terchoun’s shot was too good to worry goalkeeper Cata Coll. This shot was the only shot on target for Switzerland during this meeting.

MYTHICAL. The stands at Eden Park, a fortress as legendary as it is (almost) impregnable for the All Blacks, were full for this meeting, but not from kick-off. Because yes, part of the crowd waited until the victory of the New Zealand rugby players over Australia in the traditional Bledisloe Cup, played in… Dunedin, was complete (23-20) to join this rugby temple and this to resonate for this round of 16. There were 43,217 fans, a figure that is not insignificant for the Swiss team.

Auckland, Ludovic Perruchoud

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