SAINT PETERSBURG, RUSSIA - JULY 02: Mikel Oyarzabal of Spain celebrates their side's victory in the penalty shoot out with team mate Unai Simon after the UEFA Euro 2020 Championship Quarter-final match between Switzerland and Spain at Saint Petersburg Sta Image credit: Getty Images
SAINT PETERSBURG, RUSSIA - JULY 02: Mikel Oyarzabal of Spain celebrates their side's victory in the penalty shoot out with team mate Unai Simon after the UEFA Euro 2020 Championship Quarter-final match between Switzerland and Spain at Saint Petersburg Sta Image credit: Getty Images

Three-time champions Spain survived another scare to beat 10-man Switzerland in a dramatic penalty shootout to reach the semi-finals of the European Championship.

Swiss substitute Ruben Vargas was in tears at full-time after he blasted his penalty over the bar, allowing Mikel Oyarzabal to score the decider for Spain.

Spain ranked sixth in the world, also needed extra time to defeat Croatia in the last 16 despite leading 3-1 with five minutes of normal time to play.

They were in front in St Petersburg against Switzerland too – midfielder Denis Zakaria deflected Jordi Alba’s shot into his own net to give Spain an early lead.

Swiss captain Xherdan Shaqiri equalised following a mistake at the back by Spain but team-mate Remo Freuler was sent off nine minutes later.

They held on to force extra time and a shootout but missed three spot-kicks which ultimately proved costly.

Spain will face Italy at Wembley on Tuesday in the semi-finals after Roberto Mancini’s side beat Belgium 2-1.