Oh, what drama! Spain squeezed into the last four with a hard-fought win over Switzerland. Yann Sommer performed heroics to thwart Spanish attackers for nearly an hour of play, but his teammates’ concentration and luck ran out as La Furia Roja and their biggest fan Manolo celebrated the unspectacular victory in Saint Petersburg, Russia.An early own goal by Daniel Zakaria gave Spain the lead and the Swiss were left facing a daunting prospect of chasing to overturn the deficit for most of the match. The heroics they produced against France in the Round of 16 needed to be repeated. To do that was going to be awfully difficult – especially without their suspended captain Granit Xhaka. But you know the Swiss – they love a challenge.#SUI ▪️ Came back from 3-1 down to eliminate France▪️ Went into the Spain game without their captain▪️ Came back after conceding a freak own goal▪️ Survived with 10 men for 40 minutes against Spain▪️ Reached a major QF for the first time since 1954So much character 😤 pic.twitter.com/vmJViBOOeY— B/R Football (@brfootball) July 2, 2021 Luis Enrique’s team controlled the majority of possession without really getting close to that crucial second goal. They were walking a thin line against a team that has already earned a reputation of comeback experts. And midway through the second half – they were punished.A defensive mix-up of Pau Torres and Aymeric Laporte allowed Remo Freuler to win the ball in a dangerous area and square it nicely for Xherdan Shaqiri to finish nicely into the bottom corner and make it 1-1. They’ve done it again.Swiss goalkeeper Yann Sommer frustrated the Spaniards all night (©AFP)Minutes after the equalizer, Freuler was in action again – but this time for all the wrong reasons. His reckless tackle on Gerard Moreno earned him a sending off as Switzerland faces yet another task – beating Spain with ten men. Their heroic defending, combined with Spain’s usual inability to turn chances into goals saw them through to extra time and then to penalties.This time, Spanish goalkeeper Unai Simon did well as the Spanish team recovered from Sergio Busquets missed spot kick at the start of the shoot-out. When Ruben Vargas blasted his penalty over the bar, it gave Mikel Oyarzabal a chance to win it for Spain and he made no mistake. Spain progress at the expense of the heartbroken Swiss.⚽ ♥ 22 year old Switzerland forward Ruben Vargas missed one of the penalties as Spain knocked Switzerland out of EURO 2020 this eveningHe was absolutely broken and in tears, but respect to Thiago who Consoled him 👏🏽Las las e go dey alright, these things dey happen 🇪🇸 🇨🇭 pic.twitter.com/mOIUhfkjkR— Football Fans Tribe 🇳🇬 ⚽ (@FansTribeHQ) July 2, 2021 As it’s been the case with the Spanish national team, they’ve had the support of a very special fan. The name of Manuel Caceres Artesero probably doesn’t mean much to most football fans, but the nickname Manolo el del Bombo, along with a trademark large beret and a drum, could ring a bell.Wherever La Furia Roja went since the 1982 World Cup – Manolo was there to bang his big drum and offer support to the team. He was with the team when nobody found watching Spain entertaining and he was there when they ruled the world. Speaking to The Guardian in 2012, Manolo spoke about the sacrifices he’d made to support his homeland.”My first Spain game abroad was in Cyprus in 1979 but the 1982 World Cup was when I really followed the national team and I have been here ever since. I used to hitchhike to games. I covered 16,000km in 1982. I had no money, people rejected me. But I never gave up and now they have embraced me.”Manolo bangs his drum for Spain (©Gallo Images)In the past four decades, the now-72-year-old Manolo had only missed a single match – in 2010 in South Africa. He was so ill that he had to return home to Spain. But after just a few days in bed, he flew back to watch his country win the World Cup in Johannesburg.”I thought I was going to die without seeing us being world champions, then I thought I might miss it happening at last. But I did get back to see Spain win the World Cup and bang my drum. And now I can die.”Switzerland are knocked out by Spain on penalties! 😳#SUI #ESP #EURO2020 pic.twitter.com/mfEVtrCdtB— Sportskeeda Football (@skworldfootball) July 2, 2021 His loyalty and dedication made Manuel Caceres the best-known football fan in Spain. His celebrity status got him filming commercials and appearing on television regularly. He was doing what he loved and went where he desired. But it came at a price.”One day, my family left me because I had pretty much abandoned them. Because I was always with Spain. I lost everything for football: my family, my business, my money, everything. But I would do it all over again tomorrow. There is just nothing like representing your country.”Superstar supporter (©Gallo Images)It’s often said that doing what you love always pays off – one way or another. As far as going to football matches goes, Manolo has gone from hitchhiking to matches and almost starving on the road for being a part of the team. These days, the Spanish Football Association pays him to travel with the team and hang around with the players.”Sometimes people call me a freeloader. But it’s not true. At the 2008 European Championship, I took a team of musicians with me. They didn’t get paid anything. They were away from home for a month, unpaid. But still people accused them. I paid for all of that, from my own money and the adverts we do.”When Manolo runs on to the pitch before games, he gets a huge cheer. People stop him in the street and ask for autographs and photos. But he is not a footballer. He is just a fan. And he’ll be there in the Euro 2020 semi-final as Spain keeps limping forward.EURO 2020 – Quarter-finalsFridaySwitzerland – Spain 1-3 after penalties (1-1 AET, 1-1 FT, 0-1 HT)/Shaqiri 68 – Zakaria og 8/22.00: Belgium – ItalySaturday19.00: Czech Republic – Denmark22.00: Ukraine – England
