Despite dominating for 90 minutes Spain were hit with a sucker-punch in their opening World Cup group game. A goal from Fernandes on 52 minutes condemned the European Champions to a surprise 1-0 defeat.

Fernando Torres, who came on after 61 minutes, looked lively in attack, almost grabbing a deserved equaliser for Vicente del Bosque’s team.

Spain’s best chance of the first-half fell to Pique. Andres Iniesta picked out the defender with a pass over the top which Pique controlled in the box before turning his marker and shooting goalwards. The Spaniard’s right-foot effort however was brilliantly saved by Diego Benaglio at full stretch.

Switzerland had a rare shot on goal on 25 minutes, but Ziegler’s drive from outside the box was safely gathered by Casillas.

The Swiss were defending with eleven men behind the ball as Spain patiently passed the ball around looking for a breakthrough.

Iniesta, by far Spain’s best player in the first-half, was brought down on the edge of the box after turning two defenders. The infringing player was shown a yellow card for the foul as Spain were awarded a free-kick in a dangerous position. David Villa stepped-up to take the free-kick, but his shot deflected behind for a corner.

Spain were exerting more and more pressure on their opponent’s back-line, but Switzerland were holding firm. Iniesta fired over and Villa shot across the face of goal as the Red Fury failed to break down the resilient Swiss.

Switzerland shocked Spain with an opener seven minutes after the break. A long ball was flicked on into the path of Derdiyok, and although a combination of Casillas and Pique denied the Swiss youngster, the ball was bundled into the back of the net by Fernandes.

With just under half an hour remaining Fernando Torres was brought on for Busquets to a large cheer from fans.

Spain upped the tempo as Iniesta curled an effort just wide of the far post. Fernando Torres then had a header deflect off a defender and behind as the European Champions turned the screw on the Swiss.

The Spain number ‘9’ shot just wide and then had an effort from an acute angle pushed behind by the Swiss keeper. The Red Fury were dominating as Xabi Alonso cracked struck the underside of the bar with a piledriver from 25 yards out.

At the other end Switzerland almost added a second as Derdiyok carved his way into the box before shooting against the foot of the post.

An equaliser looked increasingly likely as Navas grazed the outside of the post with a rasping shot. Torres and Pedro also both had chances to draw Spain level as the seconds slowly ticked away.

The five minutes of stoppage-time were played out deep in the Swiss half, but it wasn’t to be for Spain, as the group favourites slipped to an agonising 1-0 defeat.


- Match Stats: Spain 0-1 Switzerland

Spain: Casillas, Ramos, Pique, Puyol, Capdevila, Busquets (Torres, 61), Xabi Alonso, Xavi, Iniesta (Pedro, 77), Silva (Navas, 61), Villa

Switzerland: Benaglio, Lichsteiner, Grichting, Senderos (Von Bergen, 35), Ziegler, Huggel, Inler, Fernandes, Barnetta (Eggimann, 90), Nkufo, Derdiyok (Yakin, 79)

Booked: Grichting, Ziegler, Yakin

Goals: Fernandes 52

Main Photo: J.A. Sirvent