Spain's escape act breaks Swiss hearts

Just when it seemed Switzerland would be heading to next summer's UEFA European Under-21 Championship, Spain denied Pierre-André Schürmann's side their place with a tie-levelling goal five minutes into stoppage time which was the prelude to a 3-1 victory after extra time.

Agony and ecstasy
Juan Ramón López Caro's team, trailing 2-1 from Saturday's first leg in Aarau, fell further behind when Shkelzen Gashi gave the visitors a 25th-minute lead on the night. But substitute Francisco Jiménez Tejada 'Xisco' kick-started the Spanish fightback in Lorca soon after the interval, enabling Sisinio 'Sisi' to save his side with a remarkable added-time goal which brought the aggregate scores level at 3-3. Raúl García then sent the hosts to the finals in Sweden eight minutes from the end of extra time.

After you
Switzerland appeared to have done enough when they extended their aggregate lead to 3-1 through Gashi. The No10 stole in to score after home goalkeeper Sergio Asenjo and defensive colleague José Chico left it to the other to deal with a long punt forward by Switzerland keeper Yann Sommer. Only hesitation by Johan Vonlanthen, which allowed César Azpilicueta to make a vital tackle, prevented the Swiss doubling their advantage on the night.

At the death
Spain's equaliser here came after 51 minutes when Xisco's deflected header looped into the net. Salvation duly arrived with what was probably the last kick of the 180 minutes, as Sisi volleyed back with interest an attempted headed clearance by defender Beg Ferati. With penalties looming in extra time, Raúl García slid in to score after two Switzerland defenders had failed to clear the danger from a Juan Mata corner. Even then, however, Spain were indebted to the reflexes of Asenjo who pulled off a decisive stop from Vonlanthen's last-gasp free-kick.