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Watch Switzerland vs. Spain live stream Women’s World Cup 2023 knockout stage on Aug. 5

By Caden Charpentier

Switzerland's midfielder #13 Lia Walti (C) speaks with Switzerland's defender #05 Noelle Maritz (R) and Switzerland's defender #02 Julia Stierli (L) during the Australia and New Zealand 2023 Women's World Cup Group A football match between Switzerland and New Zealand at Dunedin Stadium in Dunedin on July 30, 2023. (Photo by Sanka Vidanagama / AFP) (Photo by SANKA VIDANAGAMA/AFP via Getty Images)
Switzerland's midfielder #13 Lia Walti (C) speaks with Switzerland's defender #05 Noelle Maritz (R) and Switzerland's defender #02 Julia Stierli (L) during the Australia and New Zealand 2023 Women's World Cup Group A football match between Switzerland and New Zealand at Dunedin Stadium in Dunedin on July 30, 2023. (Photo by Sanka Vidanagama / AFP) (Photo by SANKA VIDANAGAMA/AFP via Getty Images) /
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Jorge Vilda’s Spanish WNT head into the knockout stage of the Women’s World Cup as the runners-up in Group C, and will encounter the Group A winner, Switzerland in Auckland, New Zealand on August 5. 

One of these two nations will be advancing to the quarterfinals of the Women’s World Cup for the first time in its history. Switzerland lost by a goal to Canada in the 2015 knockout round while the Spanish fell short against the United States in 2019.

Spain, while impressive in its first two contests in Group C, scoring eight goals combined, were ripped apart by Japan last time out. The Swiss did not allow the opponent to find the back of the net but scored just two goals in a group-stage campaign where they collected back-to-back 0-0 results. The two sides are in the top four in passing completion percentage so far during this World Cup, along with already eliminated Germany and the defending European champions.

Nobody has kept more possession this tournament per 90 than the Spanish, but the story of the ball game is going to be what they can do with it. Though the Swiss defense has been stable with players like Noelle Maritz, and Julia Stierli, in order to beat Vilda’s ultra-talented Spain team, you have to find the back of the net. Inka Grings’ team has only scored in four out of its nine matches in 2023.

La Roja head into this contest as the favorites, but the longer this match stays 0-0, the more it is going to favor the defensive-minded Switzerland team hoping they can beat the Spanish on the counter like the Japanese did so frequently. The Swiss backline has been one of the best along with the USWNT, but with players like Alexia Putellas, and Aitana Bonmatí on the other side, this is far more of a test than New Zealand or the Philippines.

This will be the first time these two nations face off at a Women’s World Cup. 2019 was the last encounter between the two European outfits with the Spanish winning 2-0 through a Jennifer Hermoso goal and a Melanie Müller own goal.

The last match should have been a reality check for La Roja, and even though they lost, this is far and away a better draw than the Group C winners received. History is going to be made on Saturday in New Zealand. The only question is which country will break into the quarterfinals for the first time?

How to watch Switzerland vs. Spain: Women’s World Cup Streaming info

Date: Saturday, Aug. 5
Start time: 1 a.m. ET
Location: Auckland, New Zealand
Stadium: Eden Park
TV Info: FS1
Live Stream: FuboTV (free seven-day trial)

Whoever comes out on top in this knockout clash will take on the winner of the Netherlands vs. South Africa contest. That game will be played at the realistic time of 10:00 p.m. EST on Saturday at the Sydney Football Stadium. Spain has a winning record against the Dutch while the Swiss were obliterated by the Netherlands 4-1 at the 2022 Euros. The Spanish took down Banyana Banyana 3-1 at the 2019 World Cup. Switzerland lost its last World Cup match against an African side back in 2015.