What a stunning result this is – hugely detrimental for Spain but vital for the visitors in order to edge away from relegation. No-one can question the worth of Switzerland’s three points. Tactically shrewd, ruthless when presented with chances and hugely hard-working. Spain stuttered badly in the first half but did enough in the second to suggest that a point might have been won. Luis Enrique is left rueing his front-three experiment – and worrying about what the trip to Portugal holds.
Switzerland have done it.Just a second-ever victory over Spain and La Roja’s first home loss since October 2018. The win for the visitors is a timely boost for their hopes of staying in League A, whilst Luis Enrique’s men will have to go into a must-win Matchday 6 showdown with leaders Portugal for a spot in the finals.
Spain have suffered a defeat in a competitive home international for only the second time since 2003.
The visitors are in front! Vargas’ inswinging corner from the left is met by Akanji’s glancing header from a central position just in front of the penalty spot. The ball bounces awkwardly for the Spain goalkeeper, diving at full stretch towards the top left of his goal, but loops over the home custodian’s glove and into the net.
Spain are level and in some style! Asensio collects a pass just inside the Switzerland half with his back to goal. He turns Elvedi before showing him a clean pair of heels as he paces towards the edge of the box. Sarabia’s run into the box draws the defender, and the Real Madrid man cleverly picks out Jordi Alba in space on the left flank. The defender takes a touch to tee himself up before blasting a left-footed strike into the roof of the net.
Switzerland are back in front, and it comes from another corner! Xhaka’s delivery from the left picks out the run of Akanji to the near post. The defender turns the ball goalwards, with Embolo seemingly surrounded in front of the hosts’ goal. The Monaco attacker somehow gets an outstretched leg to the ball to divert it into the far corner.
Switzerland coach Murat Yakin said ,’We were so well organised, we remained solid and the goals we scored came at the perfect moments. We learned a lot from our errors in previous games, we started better and that helped us a lot in the final result.”
Spain coach Luis Enrique said,”I’ve no doubts for the World Cup and how we’ll do based on this. When you lose, you analyse and you learn. I repeat that I don’t remember a single match under my reign with so many errors. Now we simply have to win away to Portugal.”
Topics
UEFA Nations League Switzerland Spain Football Sports Kolkata
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