Switzerland Stun Spain in Opener

Spain 0 – 1 Switzerland
                    Fernandes 52’ 

Attendance – 62, 453

      Stephane Grichting celebrates at the final whistle

The tournament saw its first major shock as a resilient Switzerland secured a remarkable victory over World Cup favourites Spain. In a match almost completely dominated by Spain, the defining moment came on 52 minutes as a combination of errors led to Gelson Fernandes scrambling home the winner. Spain threatened to light up the tournament at times, but a mixture of wasteful finishing and stubborn defending held them back. This was the first time Switzerland had succeeded against Spain and further strengthened the standing of coach Ottmar Hitzfeld in world football.

As was expected Fernando Torres and Cesc Fabregas were left on the bench, but Andres Iniesta was fit enough to return to the starting XI. For Switzerland, captain and leading scorer, Alexander Frei and Valon Behrami missed out through injury and were replaced by Erin Derdiyok and Gelson Fernandes.

Vicente Del Bosque’s men began brightly and were quickly infiltrating their slick, short passing game, pinning Switzerland back. They utilised both full-backs effectively in the early stages as they were encouraged forward and it was Sergio Ramos that had the games first real chance as he found space down the right flank, but scooped wastefully wide after cutting inside neatly. Both Andres Iniesta and David Silva had shots easily saved by Benaglio in the Swiss goal as the tone of the match was set. The Swiss could hardly string successive passes together as the contest mirrored an attack v defence training exercise.

Midway through the first half, Iniesta slid through a pass to Gerard Pique, who feigned to shoot and cut inside his man before firing straight against the outstretched Benaglio, who was smartly off his line.

 

 Gerard Pique denied by the spread-eagled Diego Benaglio

26 minutes of chasing shadows had elapsed before the Swiss had their first shot on target as Reto Ziegler struck a free-kick low past the wall, but was comfortably dealt with by Iker Casillas. Moments later, Silva chipped a clever ball over the top for Iniesta to chase; he was upended on the edge of the box by Stephane Grichting, resulting in the first yellow card of the game. David Villa fired the free-kick against the wall.

On 36 minutes a distraught Philippe Senderos departed from the field following an injury to his ankle, the Fulham centre-back replaced by Steve von Bergen. The change failed to fluster the Swiss backline as the pattern continued. On the stroke of half-time the lively Villa found space in the box, but surprisingly turned down the opportunity to shoot with his left foot, preferring to jink back and chip the ball across the face of goal out of the reach of the well placed Silva.

The second period began in the same vein as the first, as Spanish pressure set the tone, with Xabi Alonso seeing his shot blocked and an inventive corner to the far post was nodded down by Carlos Puyol for Silva, who skewed his shot well wide.

However, what happened next was most unexpected as Switzerland took a shock lead on 52 minutes. A long ball forward wasn’t dealt with by the Spanish defence, allowing Blaise Nkufo to flick through for his strike partner Eren Derdiyok, who collided with Casillas and Pique as he ran in on goal, fortuitously the ball squirmed out to Fernandes, who after seeing his first attempt blocked by the falling Pique, scrambled in the rebound to send the Swiss fans delirious.

 

Gelson Fernandes overjoyed after putting the Swiss ahead 

Spain responded quickly with Villa denied twice in the space of 3 minutes by the excellent Benaglio. Firstly, gathering a curling effort from 20 yards and secondly charging off his line to thwart Villa after Xavi had played a delightful ball to play him in behind the Swiss defence.

Visibly shaken and quickly running out of ideas, Spanish alterations were made as Torres and Jesus Navas were brought on for the disappointing Silva and holding midfielder Sergio Busquets, as a switch to 4-4-2 was made. Immediately both substitutes were involved in finding Villa, who was dispossessed by a great tackle that fell nicely for Iniesta to curl an effort inches wide, as Benaglio remained rooted to the spot.

The change in system revitalised the Spaniards, with Navas seeing plenty of the ball down the right flank. It was fellow substitute Torres who had the next effort with a curling shot on the spin flying over. With 20 minutes remaining, Alonso came the closest yet for Spain, hitting a powerful first-time drive against the cross-bar, suggesting it might not be their day.

 

Xabi Alonso nails the cross-bar with a superb strike 

The game became stretched as Spain chased after an equaliser, and Switzerland nearly doubled their lead on a rare counter attack. The impressive Derdiyok did brilliantly to weave past both Puyol and Pique before sliding his shot past Casillas, but was denied by the post.

Jesus Navas continued to be the out-ball for Spain and his trickery and pace forced left-back Ziegler into pulling him back, finding his way into Howard Webb’s notebook in the process. It was Navas who went close next, as he sweetly struck a volley from 18 yards that bounced narrowly wide.

The final throw of the dice was played as Pedro was sent on for Iniesta, but nothing materialised as the Swiss stayed strong and disciplined. A nervous period ensued with five minutes of stoppage time signalled, but Spain’s desperate attempts petered out into nothing threatening as a memorable victory was achieved for Ottmar Hitzfeld’s heroic men.

Teams

Spain – Casillas, Sergio Ramos, Puyol, Pique, Capdevilla, Busquets (Torres, 62), Alonso, Xavi, Iniesta (Pedro, 77). Silva (Jesus Navas, 62), Villa

Booked – No bookings

Switzerland – Benaglio, Lichtsteiner, Grichting, Senderos (von Bergen, 36), Ziegler, Fernandes, Huggel, Inler, Barnetta (Eggimann, 90+2), Nkufo, Derdiyok (Yakin, 79)

Booked – Benaglio, Grichting, Ziegler, Yakin