The stopped ball punishes Spain
The team falls (1-2) against Switzerland, which scored in two actions from the corner, and now the first place will be played against Portugal in Braga
MADRID, 24 Sep. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The Spanish team fell defeated (1-2) this Saturday against Switzerland, punished by the effectiveness of the Swiss in two plays from the corner, with goals from Akanji and Embolo, to achieve the first victory of the Swiss team in Spanish territory, while Jordi Alaba was the scorer in a Spain that tried but found no reward, somewhat failed in attack.
With a new trident formed by Asensio, Ferran and Sarabia, all of them without many minutes in their respective teams, Spain did not know how to turn around a match in which they were never ahead on the scoreboard. With this defeat, the first of Luis Enrique’s in their Nations League group, the national team adds 8 points, so they must beat Portugal, the current leader with 11 units, in Braga this Tuesday (8:45 p.m.) to be first and advance to the ‘Final Four’ of the tournament.
The meeting began with both teams somewhat hesitant and with Spain having a little more prominence with the ball. However, the Swiss were very serious tactically and very well planted in their field, without losing patience. Sommer did not suffer too much at this start, with a first approach with Spanish danger in minute 13, when Ferran Torres received a ball on the right, cut inside and finished off with the left, culminating a quick transition without luck.
Switzerland did not shrink and continued to wait for its opportunity to put fear into the body of Spain. And he did it just four minutes later, when Embolo stood up in front of Unai Simón, who saved a dangerous one-on-one, later invalidated by the Swiss striker being offside. And if that was the first big scare for the visitors, the terror materialized in minute 21, with the opening goal for Switzerland.
Akanji imposed his aerial strength in a good corner kick with a thread, to hit the ball and make it 0-1 directly to the top corner, impossible for Simón. The goal left La Romareda and Luis Enrique’s men somewhat cold, forced at that moment to row and overcome the visiting first blow. Two minutes later Sarabia responded, but his shot, somewhat bitten, ended in a corner.
More shadows than lights in Spain, unable to find the gaps in the Swiss team, which took cover and took a step back to defend its short lead. Asensio, who had not started since June in a game also with Spain, was one of the most active in the first half, shooting a couple of chances on both flanks. Spain tried to drown Switzerland, which was still comfortable in La Romareda, ready to spoil the Spanish party in Zaragoza.
With the 0-1 half-time was reached, and after the restart everything remained the same, with Spain somewhat more present in the opposite field and Switzerland more withdrawn. Thus, five minutes into the second half, Asensio penetrated the area from the right, but did not connect a good cross with his right leg, with two Spanish players waiting to finish off.
Spain continued to suffer from the low participation of Pedri and Busquets, caused by the good defensive work of Switzerland, which neutralized the two Spanish stars. With the two azulgranas neutralized, Asensio continued to be the most dangerous and the draw came from his boots. The Spaniard drove with speed, attracting rivals to brilliantly assist Jordi Alba, who quickly entered the area from the left to finish off with power above, beating Sommer.
Spain laid the first stone of the comeback, but nothing could be further from the truth. Shaqiri was able to equalize just two minutes later, but his shot at the post in a one-on-one against Simón was invalidated for clearly offside after an extension by Embolo. It was the Swiss center forward who poured the second jug of cold water on Spain.
Again, from a set piece, in another corner kick, Embolo made it 1-2, finishing with his foot an extension by Akanji at the near post, with the Spanish defense somewhat soft. Joy turned once more to sadness in a few minutes. Five minutes later Switzerland had the third in the head of Vargas, who could not finish well a cross from the right, overtaken by Simón, who ended up picking up the loose ball.
Luis Enrique ushered in Borja Iglesias, Yeremy Pino and debutant Nico Williams, who was very brave in his actions although without success or clarity. The Betis striker, in his first game with Spain, was good in his task of putting the Swiss ‘towers’ in difficulties, and the team improved somewhat, but the blockage in attack and the lack of success did not help. In addition to a Sommer who was solvent in a couple of Spanish actions in the final minutes, not to let the Swiss victory escape.
DATASHEET.
–RESULT: SPAIN, 1 – SWITZERLAND, 2 (0-1, at half-time).
–ALIGNMENTS:
SPAIN: Unai Simon; Azpilicueta (Soler, min. 87), Eric García, Pau Torres, Jordi Alba; Gavi, Busquets, Pedri (Llorente, min.70), Ferran Torres (Yeremy Pino, min.63), Asensio (Borja Iglesias, min.63) and Sarabia (Nico Williams, min.63).
SWITZERLAND: Summer; Widmer, Akanji, Elvedi, Rodriguez (Steffen, min. 46); Pet, Freuler, Horse (Zechariah, min. 68); Shaqiri (Ndoye, 68 mins), Vargas (Aebischer, 78 mins) and Embolo (Seferovic, 86 mins).
–GOALS:
0-1, min.21: Akanji.
1-1, min.55: Jordi Alba.
1-2, min.58: Penis.
–REFEREE: Clement Turpin (FRA). He admonished Akanji (min.44) by Switzerland.
–STADIUM: La Romareda.