Are Spain pacing themselves or sleepwalking to a deafening alarm call? | Jonathan Liew

Euro favourites give Switzerland hope before sealing their place in the semi-finals but France or Germany could challenge their supremacyAfterwards, there was an awful lot of messing about. Probably more than you would expect after a briefly absorbing quarter-final whose outcome was never seriously in doubt. The Swiss players performed the world’s slowest lap of honour. The Spanish players posed for a group photo, but it kept having to be retaken as more players arrived. OK, now one more with Aitana. Now one more with Irene. Now one with the staff. Now in portrait for the ’gram. Then the teams gave each other an honour guard off the pitch. At one point you would swear someone laid out some picnic blankets and Scotch eggs.Finally they left. And if there was a strangely ceremonial feel to the post-match perhaps it was because there was a strangely ceremonial feel to the match itself: more event than genuine contest, even as Switzerland held out for more than an hour, counted their blessings, fleetingly hoped. But there was always too much time on the clock. There were always Athenea del Castillo and Salma Paralluelo and Vicky López to come on. There was always one more attack to weather, one more shot to block, one more ricochet that had to bounce just right. Continue reading...

Comments

Sport news

Arsenal boost as Sporting warned over Viktor Gyokeres replacement

Metro

What Snoop Dogg's fun and offbeat investment really means for Swansea - and the worrying truth behind clubs welcoming celebrities in, writes RIATH AL-SAMARRAI

about 2 hours ago

Dailymail

Frank Warren on Daniel Dubois fighting for his father's dream, cutting back on weights and the mental transformation ahead of Oleksandr Usyk showdown

about 2 hours ago

Dailymail

Former Man United star Javier Hernandez sparks fury by accusing women of 'eradicating masculinity' and claims they should focus on 'multiplying, cleaning, and sustaining the home'

about 2 hours ago

Dailymail

Former Crystal Palace and England star Geoff Thomas, 60, conquers Tour de France stage after beating cancer and arthritis - and urges his old club to build new stadium

about 2 hours ago

Dailymail

Inside the troubled upbringing of Chelsea's new £60m star: Joao Pedro's father went to prison and his mother sacrificed meals to help the striker achieve his dream

about 2 hours ago

Dailymail

UEFA 'fires warning to Chelsea and Aston Villa over inflated player swap deals' after Premier League duo breached Financial Fair Play rules

about 2 hours ago

Raheem Sterling makes decision on next club as Chelsea set price tag

Metro

Australia vs British & Irish Lions - Test series: Live score, team news and updates as Andy Farrell's men look to overpower the Wallabies in series opener

about 3 hours ago

Dailymail

Lennox Lewis reveals how Daniel Dubois can beat Oleksandr Usyk and questions Anthony Joshua's absence from the build-up

about 3 hours ago

Comments

Sport news

Arsenal boost as Sporting warned over Viktor Gyokeres replacement

Man Utd vs Leeds LIVE: Pre-season friendly latest score and confirmed lineups

Tottenham: Thomas Frank outlines key principles as ambitions align with Daniel Levy after Europa League win

Manchester United vs Leeds LIVE: Friendly match stream, latest team news, lineups, TV, prediction

Reading vs Tottenham LIVE: Friendly match stream, latest team news, lineups, TV, prediction

The ‘welcome to the Yankees’ moment that put CC Sabathia on path to become Bronx legend

Fanatics Sportsbook promo: New users get $1,000 no sweat first bet for the 2025 Open Championship

The Open Championship prize money: How much does the winner take home?

Tom Lynagh: The Surrey-educated Australia legend’s son handed shock start against the Lions

The Open 2025: Who has made the cut at Royal Portrush?

The Open 2025: Tee times and third round schedule at Portrush including Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler

The Open tee times moved to avoid disruption with band parade in Portrush, R&A confirms

England ‘very optimistic’ over Leah Williamson injury in Women’s Euro 2025 boost

‘She’s a freak’: Lucy Bronze inspires England’s mentality before Euro 2025 semi-final

Xavier Mbuyamba 'deserves' Rangers transfer as Volendam star tipped for superstardom

Open Saturday start times for Bob MacIntyre and Rory McIlroy at Portrush

Ross McCausland sees Rangers transfer exit options grow as chance to join two Ibrox old boys emerges

Russell Martin issues Thelo Aasgaard Rangers injury update as attacking trio not ready to start Champions League crunch

Warren Gatland didn't hold back in brutally honest remark to Mako Vunipola

Daniel Dubois will immediately lose half of his purse from Oleksandr Usyk fight

Dad points out big difference between women and men's football you wouldn't expect

Daniel Dubois was a Lennox Lewis disciple as a kid - now he could stand alongside him

Newcastle's huge transfer boost after Hugo Ekitike agreement and Alexander Isak decision

Thomas Frank can't hide true feelings as Man Utd agree £71m Bryan Mbeumo transfer

Who won controversial Oleksandr Usyk vs Daniel Dubois fight?

Former Man Utd star launches bizarre rant accusing women - 'Focus on cleaning'

Revealed: The message Barcelona sent Nico Williams that 'collapsed the £50m deal' and triggered his stunning U-turn

What Snoop Dogg's fun and offbeat investment really means for Swansea - and the worrying truth behind clubs welcoming celebrities in, writes RIATH AL-SAMARRAI

Frank Warren on Daniel Dubois fighting for his father's dream, cutting back on weights and the mental transformation ahead of Oleksandr Usyk showdown

Former Man United star Javier Hernandez sparks fury by accusing women of 'eradicating masculinity' and claims they should focus on 'multiplying, cleaning, and sustaining the home'

Former Crystal Palace and England star Geoff Thomas, 60, conquers Tour de France stage after beating cancer and arthritis - and urges his old club to build new stadium

Inside the troubled upbringing of Chelsea's new £60m star: Joao Pedro's father went to prison and his mother sacrificed meals to help the striker achieve his dream

UEFA 'fires warning to Chelsea and Aston Villa over inflated player swap deals' after Premier League duo breached Financial Fair Play rules

Raheem Sterling makes decision on next club as Chelsea set price tag

Mikel Arteta finally got his way after being overruled on £52million Arsenal signing

Ex-Mets believe injuries robbed David Wright of another special spot — Cooperstown

War veterans go from Ukraine front lines to Wembley ringside for Usyk's heavyweight bout

Why hosting the first test in Perth will shake up the Ashes formula

Tour de France 2025 live: Stage 14 route updates as peloton takes on epic climbs in Pyrenean high mountains

Tour de France peloton faces famous Tourmalet climb on brutal stage 14 – ‘there’s no easy way up’

Golf course dubbed 'Scotland's Augusta' lays abandoned with iconic building overcome by nature

Celtic fans have stumped up big money for season tickets and strips now it's time for board to splash the cash – Sutton

Shin Yamada reveals true Celtic transfer inspiration as he makes one promise

Erik ten Hag suffers humiliation in first match since Man Utd sacking - 'A debacle'

Barcelona forced to delay Camp Nou return AGAIN as club take drastic action

Daniel Dubois vs Oleksandr Usyk 2 EXACT start time due to major rule

Daniel Dubois vs Oleksandr Usyk undercard, running order and start times

Manny Pacquiao UK fight time tonight as legend takes on Mario Barrios

How to watch Man Utd vs Leeds friendly in Sweden: TV channel, live stream, kick-off time

Viktor Gyokeres and girlfriend 'make mega-money decision' despite advanced Arsenal talks

How to watch Daniel Dubois vs Oleksandr Usyk 2 on DAZN through your TV

Shocking Lions incident that had fans calling for Maro Itoje to be banned

Arsenal transfer boost as Sporting Lisbon issued threat over Viktor Gyokeres replacement

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta issued with Viktor Gyokeres warning: 'I would advise against'

How much will Daniel Dubois and Oleksandr Usyk earn from fight?

What UK time is UFC 318 tonight? Start time for Dustin Poirier vs Max Holloway

Tiger Woods put The Open security in their place after he was denied entry – 'Who are you?'

John McEnroe blasted as Roger Federer's angry ex-coach hits back at Carlos Alcaraz claim

Australia vs British & Irish Lions - Test series: Live score, team news and updates as Andy Farrell's men look to overpower the Wallabies in series opener

Lennox Lewis reveals how Daniel Dubois can beat Oleksandr Usyk and questions Anthony Joshua's absence from the build-up