Switzerland defended stoutly for the best part of an hour, trying to catch Spain on the break, and kept the game scoreless for the first half.

But it was only a matter of time before Spain found its groove and quickly killed the game off with two expertly-taken goals.

Spain looked to have made the perfect start when Mariona Caldentey was upended by a rash challenge by Nadine Riesen, but having opted to take the spot-kick herself the forward rolled it wide of the post.

It took a moment of brilliance from Aitana Bonmati to break the deadlock in the 66th minute, teeing up Athenea with an instinctive backheel for the substitute to guide the ball home past Swiss goalkeeper Livia Peng.

Five minutes later, Pina doubled Spain's lead as Switzerland captain Lia Waelti was dispossessed just outside her own penalty area, and Pina curled a beauty into the top corner.

Alexia Putellas missed another penalty for Spain later in the game and Switzerland's Noelle Maritz was shown a straight red card for a stoppage-time foul, but the game was long decided before both incidents.

"We are very happy, and very happy to have reached the semi-finals. The team gave it their all. The atmosphere was spectacular, and hopefully it can be repeated," Athenea said after the final whistle.

"The team created many chances but we didn't convert them, we got a bit stuck, but in the end we managed to get the win."

After losing 1-0 to Germany in the bronze medal game at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, Athenea said her team had some unfinished business with Germany, which faces France in the last quarter-final in Basel on Sunday (AEST) for the right to play Spain in the last four.

"They are two great teams. Maybe we'd prefer to face Germany again because of what happened at the Olympics, but whoever we play, we'll give it our all," she said.

Defending champion England will play Italy in the other semi-final.