Ginebra. European champions Spain beat Switzerland 4-1 on Sunday in Geneva in the second round of the Nations League, the competition in which they are defending champions. They played 70 minutes with ten players after Robin Le Normand was sent off.
With this victory, La Roja, which started the tournament with a goalless draw against Serbia, added four points and is now behind Denmark, leader of Group A4 with two victories.
On a rainy night, with a pitch in poor condition, Spain, dynamic and explosive from the start, secured victory with goals from Joselu (minute 4), Fabián Ruiz (13 and 77) and Ferran Torres (80). Switzerland reduced the gap through Zeki Amdouni (41), but could not continue the comeback in the second half.
The first two Spanish goals were scored by the new stars of La Roja.
In the first, 17-year-old Lamine Yamal dribbled his way to the goal line and headed in Joselu, who had to wait a few moments to celebrate his goal after goalkeeper Gregor Kobel cleared the ball out of the goal.
The second goal came after a counterattack by Nico Williams – after a recovery and pass from Lamal -, with Fabián Ruiz attentive to take advantage of Kobel’s rebound from the first’s shot.
A lot was happening in a short time in Geneva and after 20 minutes the continental champions were left with ten players after Robin Le Normand was sent off for fouling Breel Embolo as the last defender, who shot towards David Raya’s goal.
Spanish coach Luis de la Fuente decided to replace midfielder Pedri to bring in another centre-back to replace Le Normand. Dani Vivian was the chosen one (28).
Spain, very comfortable playing at speed, had a carousel of chances despite being outnumbered. Yamal (30), Joselu (33) and Williams, who made a mistake on another counterattack (39), were unable to score the third.
Switzerland did manage to score, through Zeki Amdouni, who was instrumental in taking advantage of a ball combed into the six-yard box.
Amdouni, 23 years old and signed by Benfica this season, had hit the crossbar with a free kick (25).
After the break, De la Fuente left Yamal, his key player in the first half, on the bench to bring on another Barcelona player, Ferran Torres, who also had his moment of glory.
With one man less and facing a high-level rival like Switzerland, Spain took a step back and settled into its area to hold on to the result, hoping that the speed of its attack would give it the chance to close out the match.
And so it was. Ferran Torres ran a long ball down the right and his pass was finished off like a ‘killer’ by Fabián.
Torres himself, surgical in another counterattack, closed the Spanish party in Geneva.
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– 2024-09-17 15:39:23
