Pablo Sarabia’s early goal gave Spain their first win!
Spain beat Switzerland for the first time in the Nations League, thanks to a goal by Pablo Sarabia.
After a video assistance referee review for offside, Sarabia slipped home Marcos Llorente’s cross in a goal that was allowed to stand.
Breel Embolo’s last-second shot was blocked, while Djibril Sow’s last-second volley was blocked in Geneva.
In Group A2, Spain has five points from three games.
Portugal leads their neighbours by two points after a 2-0 win over the Czech Republic.
Spain secured their first win of the UEFA Nations League season, defeating Switzerland for the third time in a row thanks to a goal from Pablo Sarabia in the first half.
In a nutshell, Sarabia is on the spot to defeat the Swiss.
With 76 percent possession, Spain dominated the first half but only mustered one shot on goal. Sarabia guided Marcos Llorente’s cross into the box after the midfielder had skipped past a challenge to surge into the area.
After the half, Switzerland improved, with Xherdan Shaqiri shooting straight at Unai Simón, but Spain remained in control, albeit without really testing Yann Sommer.
Substitute Haris Seferovi was extensively involved in both of the home side’s late chances
first teeing up Breel Embolo to chip narrowly wide of an open goal from 30 metres before the striker’s own shot was blocked by César Azpilicueta.
Match reporter Daniel Thacker
Spain’s unbeaten streak in Switzerland continues, although as has been the case in recent years, this was another close game between these two teams.
After Sarabia’s early goal,
neither side could create many chances, but Spain never lost control, with Llorente’s first assist for his country just reward for a driving midfield game alongside the unflappable Sergio Busquets.
The 2021 finalists are off to a good start in this edition of the competition with their first win,
while group leaders Portugal await Switzerland on Sunday, who are considerably improved defensively but lack a cutting edge.
Reaction
Coach Luis Enrique of Spain: “That’s how professional football works: the outcome determines everything. Switzerland had gone eight years and 23 games without dropping a competitive match at home. We were able to establish our style today… Switzerland is a world-class team, as evidenced by their participation in the EURO and their appearance in the World Cup.”
Switzerland forward Xherdan Shaqiri: “That was a significant step forward from recent games. We weren’t daring enough in the first half. We were more involved in the second half and were able to put Spain under strain.
They do, however, have the ability to pull themselves out of those situations.”
Spain’s forward, Pablo Sarabia: “It was all about coming out on top. These are three crucial points.”
Watch the win goals of Spain today!!!
Figures of importance
Switzerland lost for the first time in the UEFA Nations League, and for the first time in a competitive match since 2014.
In their last 16 international matches against Switzerland, Spain has not conceded more than one goal.
In their last 17 international matches, Spain has scored.
Switzerland’s latest UEFA Nations League victory came against Belgium in November 2018, excepting their 3-0 awarded victory against Ukraine.
Sommer; Widmer, Akanji (Frei 79), Cömert, Rodrguez (Sow 89); Xhaka, Aebischer (Okafor 63), Freuler; Shaqiri (Seferovi 80), Embolo, Zuber; Xhaka, Aebischer (Okafor 63), Freuler; Shaqiri (Seferovi 80), Embolo, Zuber; Xhaka (Steffen 63).
Unai Simón; Azpilicueta, Diego Llorente, Pau Torres, Jordi Alba; Marcos Llorente (Soler 80), Sergio Busquets, Gavi (Koke 73); Ferran Torres, Morata (Asensio 73), Sarabia; Marcos Llorente (Soler 80), Sergio Busquets, Gavi (Koke 73); Marcos Llorente (Soler (Olmo 62).
