Spain have claimed their first win of this UEFA Nations League. A goal from Pablo Sarabia before the break was enough to inflict Switzerland’s third straight defeat.
key moments
13.: Sarabia puts visitors ahead
86.: Embolo misses equalization
87.: Seferović’s shot is blocked
–
Game in brief: Sarabia makes the difference
–
–
Spain dominated the first half with 76% possession but only had one shot on goal, but it was within reach. Sarabia scored after a cross from Marcis Llorente.
Switzerland came into play better after the break and Xherdan Shaqiri shot straight at Unai Simón, but Spain continued to have more of the game without really testing Yann Sommer.
The hosts had two more chances in the final stages, in which substitute Haris Seferović played a key role. He set up Breel Embolo, who fired just wide from 30 meters out, before César Azpilicueta blocked the striker’s shot.
This is how the game went: Switzerland – Spain
reactions
Murat Yakin, Switzerland coach: “We didn’t give them many chances but were penalized for a mistake. If you let them play, you have to chase the ball for a long time.”
Xherdan Shaqiri, Schweizer Angreifer: “That was definitely an improvement on the last few games. We weren’t brave enough in the first half. In the second half we were more involved and were able to put Spain under pressure. But they have the quality to get out of situations like this. “
Luis Enrique, Spaniards Trainer: “I’m satisfied with the professionalism and attitude of the players. Now we’re looking forward to playing the Czech Republic on Sunday.”
Dani Olmo, Spain midfielder: “I’m really happy that we got a deserved win in the end. We worked well but didn’t win the two games before that. We started well and got the goal down the right side.”
–
–
Important statistics
- For Switzerland it was the first home defeat in the UEFA Nations League and the first home defeat in a competitive game since 2014.
- Spain have never conceded more than one goal in their last 16 international matches against Switzerland.
- Spain have scored consistently in their last 17 internationals.
lineups
Switzerland: Sommer – Widmer, Akanji (79. Frei), Cömert, Rodriguez (89. Sow) – Xhaka, Aebischer (63. Okafor), Freuler – Shaqiri (80. Seferović), Embolo, Zuber (63. Steffen)
Spain: Unai Simón – Azpilicueta, Diego Llorente, Pau Torres, Jordi Alba – Marcos Llorente (80. Soler), Sergio Busquets, Gavi (73. Koke) – Ferran Torres, Morata (73. Asensio), Sarabia (62. Olmo)
What happens after the UEFA Nations League group stage?
–
–
The four group winners of League A advance to the final tournament, one of which is chosen as the host. The semi-finals will be played on June 14 and 15, 2023, with the final and third-place match on June 18.
Fourth-place finishers in League A groups are relegated to League B for the 2024/25 edition.
–
–
