The game was level pegging throughout and it required the drama of a penalty shootout to separate the sides, following a 1-1 draw after 120 minutes.
The shootout finished 3-1 to the Spaniards, despite missing their opening spot-kick, with Mikel Oyarzabal netting the deciding penalty to ensure Spain’s place in the final four against either Italy or Belgium at Wembley next week.
The game started electrically and the Spaniards took an early lead in Saint-Petersburg, as Jordi Alba’s strike from just outside the box deflected off Denis Zakaria, wrongfooted Yann Sommer in the Swiss goal and nestled in the corner.
Our skipper Azpilicueta, who played the entire game at right-back for Luis Enrique’s side, almost doubled Spain’s lead in the first half but saw his header saved well by Sommer.