Aitana Bonmati scored a stunning brace as Spain reached the Women’s World Cup quarter-finals for the first time with a commanding 5-1 win over Switzerland.
With Spain under pressure to respond to their 4-0 defeat to Japan in the group stages, Bonmati scored the opening goal within six minutes after a lovely turn and finish in the box, only for Switzerland to receive a gift of an equaliser as Laia Codina scored an own goal from 40 yards.
But Spain’s response was emphatic, with Alba Redondo restoring Spain’s lead within five minutes, before Bonmati scored her second thanks to another sharp turn and finish in the box. With Spain cruising, Codina made amends for her earlier error with Spain’s fourth, scrambled in from a corner.
Switzerland had kept three clean sheets in the group stage, but Jenni Hermoso made it five in the second half with a curling finish. Spain did not call upon Alexia Putellas, who was dropped from the starting line-up, until the 77th minute but it did not take away from an improved performance after their dismal display against Japan.
Spain will now play either the Netherlands or South Africa in the quarter-finals, while the action continues with Japan vs Norway in the last-16.