Spanish Takeover Attempt by Swiss Women Draws Comparisons to Male Attempt in 2010
The European Championship quarter-final match will take place at the historic Wankdorf Stadium, with the Swiss team making their debut in this stage of the tournament. The Swiss team's qualification is a significant milestone, marking their first time reaching the quarter-finals of the European Championships.
This historic moment was secured thanks to a dramatic goal in added time in the last group game against Finland, which ended in a 1:1 draw. The goal was scored by none other than Gelson Fernandes, a former Swiss professional footballer who made a name for himself in the Bundesliga and in the international arena.
Fernandes is best known for his role in Switzerland’s shocking 1:0 victory over Spain during the group stage of the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. This win was especially notable because Spain, the then-European champions, went on to win the entire tournament, but the Swiss team, led by Fernandes’ historic strike, held the distinction of being the only side to defeat them during that World Cup campaign.
Fernandes' goal against Spain stands as a landmark achievement in Swiss football history. It was Switzerland’s first-ever win against Spain and remains a source of national pride and inspiration, both for players and fans alike.
Recently, the current Swiss women’s national team has drawn motivation from this 2010 upset as they prepared to face Spain in the quarter-finals of the 2025 Women’s European Championship, hosted in Switzerland. Coach Pia Sundhage and her staff showed the players footage of the 2010 match, with Fernandes’ story and the emotions surrounding that victory serving as a rallying point for the team. Johan Djourou, a member of the 2010 squad who is now on the women’s coaching staff, also shared his memories, further bridging the legacy between the men’s and women’s teams.
Fernandes himself has acknowledged the parallels between the 2010 men’s team and today’s women’s squad, expressing hope that the current Swiss team can replicate the same kind of underdog triumph on home soil. He has also publicly championed the growth and future of women’s football, stating, “Women’s football is the future of the sport.”
Post-retirement, Fernandes has transitioned into a role at FIFA, sharing his expertise and experience with the broader football community. However, his enduring legacy is not just as a former player, but as a symbol of possibility for Swiss football—capable of overcoming the odds against footballing giants, a narrative now embraced by the women’s team as they seek their own historic achievements.
The quarter-final game between Switzerland and Spain will be held on Friday at 21.00 CET. Spain is the world champion in women’s football, making the Swiss team the underdogs in this match. The game will be broadcast on ARD and DAZN.
As the Swiss team takes the field, they will have the support of Gelson Fernandes, who will be present at the Wankdorf Stadium. Fernandes has stated that the celebration in Durban following his winning goal against Spain was late due to doping control, and he is eager to experience the excitement of a live match again.
With the spirit of the 2010 team and the inspiration of Gelson Fernandes, the Swiss women’s team will look to create their own chapter in Swiss football history by defeating the reigning champions in the quarter-finals of the European Championships.
In the upcoming quarter-final game against Spain, the Swiss women's team, inspired by the spirit of the 2010 men's team and the legendary Gelson Fernandes, will aim to score an underdog win in European-leagues football, just as their male counterparts did in the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Gelson Fernandes, now working at FIFA and known for his historic goal against Spain, will be present at the Wankdorf Stadium to cheer on the team, reminiscing about the excitement he felt during the match in Durban.
