Spain 4-1 Switzerland the new European champions started the Nations League of Group A4 on a winning note after beating Switzerland in an away game, despite playing more than three quarters with one less player. The win displayed Spain’s doggedness, as well as wearing their tactical astuteness from head coach Luis de la Fuente like a badge of honour.
Spain travelled to Geneva with all the intent of domination after being held goalless by Serbia in their first game. The visitors came steaming out of the blocks and quickly silenced those in attendance when Josleu fired them front inside two minutes before Fabián Ruiz doubled their lead after just 13. But a red card for Robin Le Normand after he tripped Switzerland’s Breel Embolo turned the match on its head.
The Opening Stages and the Spanish Red Card
La Furia Roja came out to play and make sure all three points were in the bag from minute one, as Luis de la Fuente’s Spain clicked into gear early on Joselu broke the deadlock in the 8th minute with a sublime header from an inch-perfect delivery down right post. And five minutes after that a ferocious strike from Fabián Ruiz made it 2-0, leaving the Swiss defence napping.
But the match swung less than 10 minutes later when Spanish centre-back Robin Le Normand was sent off for felling Embolo and conceding a penalty. And then Spain were forced to adapt their game as they would play with ten men, thankfully the Swiss side also knew that this was there opportunity and began biting back into the match.
Swiss comeback and Amdouni’s aim
Spain’s red card got a good reaction from Switzerland as they started to pick up the pace in search for their goal. Their persistence was rewarded shortly before the interval when Zeki Amdouni reduced his side’s arrears in the 34th minute, it made for a tight finale. That gave the Swiss fans a spark of hope and, with signs that a possible comeback was on the cards.
Spain weathered Swiss storm — even with 10 men in Extra Time A messy Swiss defense led by Manuel Akanji struggled to contain Spain’s counterattacks, but they were relentless for the equalizer. Spain, instead remained calm and bided their time to hit back.
Counter-Intuitive by Spain..
Switzerland continued to push for an equalizer as the second half wore on. Their high-pressure eventually backfired due to their suicide pressing, conceding three goals and the coefficient still maxed out.
However, Fabián gave his second blow to the 78th with a firing squad that left taken out of place the box suizo. Spain’s third goal looked to have drained the Swiss of their fight as they were unable, despite their best efforts, match the ruthlessness in front of goal displayed by Spain.
That win came courtesy of a deliciously crafted Ferran Torres goal to make it 4-1 in the few seconds that remained. He was unplayably quick on the break away, and when he did get his chance firing past a stranded Swiss defense to calmly slot it home. But Spain had made what might have been a difficult evening, giving Estonia an unexpected element of hope even further from the friendly end of England’s 6-0 trashing in Sofia last year, into something easy and affirming after they could handle being down to ten-men.
Tactical Mastery of Luis de la Fuente
Spain coach Luis de la Fuente said he was proud of the team’s showing following the match. ”When such situation would occur, we feel more happy We were masterful in the way we read and interpreted this match with 10 men. “Darby has a great team,” de la Fuente said with pride. The Switzerland red card changed the game and Spain were request in defending compactly with tactics to catch them on the counterattack.
Switzerland’s Frustration
That would be Switzerland, whose best scoring chances were wasted by poor finishing and defensive pratfalls. The team did not succeed in carrying over the momentum and defender Manuel Akanji was frustrated. ‘We could have done better than the goals that we conceded. Akanji said: “There were communication errors, and the goals came far too easily. Switzerland had plenty of the ball after Spain were reduced to 10 with Kretschmar and Walz both being denied by Rubio before they are hit on a counter.
The Road Ahead
The win took Spain to second in Group A4, three points behind Denmark who beat Serbia 2-0 at home. However, Spain will play their group game in the Nations League against a team which can help them stay at top of the teams stack.
Group A1 saw Croatia triumph over Poland by the same scoreline, with Luka Modric netting the only goal of that game. Earlier in the day, Scotland were sunk by Portugal on 87 minutes as they lost their third consecutive game and slipped to bottom of their group.
FAQs
Scorers for Spain were Joselu, Fabián Ruiz (two goals) and Ferran Torres.
However, their hopes of a comeback were stymied when Robin Le Normand was ordered off in the 20th minute for felling Breel Embolo.
Switzerland managed to pull one back before the break through Zeki Amdouni on 34 minutes but they trailed going into half-time.
His team was into extra time playing with 10 men, yes they tired but he credited them for their resolve and the good tactical base that got Spain through.
At the moment, Denmark leads the group followed by Spain having won against Switzerland.
Conclusion
Spain 4-1 Switzerland: A showing of the heart a champion, Spain emerged victorious despite playing with ten-men. Switzerland are papering over the defensive cracks against good sides, and for all that they had one goal disallowed by a VAR offside check, Spain won this quarter-final almost at walking pace really. The manner of their victory could not have sent a clearer message to the rest world, and Spain already start as favourites when they embark upon another Nations league campaign. As Spain look to build on a strong performance and while some players shone brighter than others, the Spanish national team seems capable of replicating their triumphant outings in the UEFA European Championship.
