After the defeat against Denmark, the Swiss national team loses to Spain 1:4, leaving Switzerland with its back to the wall in the Nations League after two match days.
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- Switzerland also loses its second game in the Nations League. In Geneva, they suffered a 1:4 defeat against European champions Spain.
- In the 41st minute, Amdouni scored the equalizer to make it 1-2. At this point, Switzerland had already been outnumbered for around 20 minutes.
- In the second half, Switzerland pressed for the equalizer for a long time, but failed to create enough clear-cut chances and were then caught out twice.
- With zero points after two games, Switzerland are now under pressure. The next games will take place on October 12 in Serbia and on October 15 against Denmark.
Switzerland lost their first Nations League home game against European champions Spain 1:4 despite being outnumbered for a long time. Zeki Amdouni scored the Swiss goal in Geneva to make it 1:2 shortly before the break.
Switzerland failed to score in their first Nations League match. Three days after their defeat in Denmark, they did a lot to at least draw against Spain after going 2-0 down early on. In their best phase, Zeki Amdouni scored the equalizer in the 41st minute. At this point, Switzerland had been playing in superior numbers for some time. Spain defender Robin Le Normand had been shown the red card after a last-man foul on Breel Embolo (21').
The courage of the Swiss, including that of national coach Murat Yakin, who strengthened the attack in the final half hour, was not rewarded. Fabian Ruiz (77'), who had already made it 2-0, and Ferran Torres (80') made it clear with two simple attacks against the exposed Swiss defense.
Too many bad phases
Switzerland had not defended consistently enough in the opening quarter of an hour. Lamine Yamal was decisive twice. The 17-year-old first got the better of Remo Freuler in the 4th minute and his cross found the head of Joselu, the replacement for the injured Alvaro Morata. The former Real Madrid striker beat Gregory Wüthrich in a header duel. Yamal's second decisive move made it 2-0 just under ten minutes later. After Michel Aebischer lost the ball, he launched a counter-attack that Fabian Ruiz finished off.
After that, the game developed very differently than one might have expected. There was hardly anything to be seen of the Spaniards in attack until the two goals in the final quarter of an hour. Switzerland were superior against the European champions, who were soon down to ten players. In pouring rain and on an unsightly pitch, they had a lot of possession, but hardly any scoring chances after the break. There were too many misplaced passes in the attacks.
The strong minutes before the break
Switzerland were shorthanded and this was noticeable in the poorer phases. In addition to the absences of the suspended Granit Xhaka and Nico Elvedi, Murat Yakin also had to make changes at right-back after Silvan Widmer was injured in the warm-up. Becir Omeragic came on in his place and almost made the perfect debut. His goal in the 7th minute, shortly after the 0:1, was disallowed due to a previous handball by Remo Freuler.
Despite the lack of regular players, the Swiss had great ambitions. As the national coach had announced, the SFA team tried to be on the ball as often as possible against the European champions in the sold-out Geneva stadium. They did this really well in the first half when outnumbered. After Le Normand was sent off, Embolo and Co. kept the Spaniards busy in defense.
Ruben Vargas dribbled free on his side against Yamal and Dani Carvajal time and again and sent ball after ball dangerously into the penalty area. He was also the one who took the corner kick in the 41st minute that led to Amdouni's 8th goal in his 21st international match. The new Benfica Lisbon striker, who was unable to play a major role at the European Championships, proved his goal-scoring qualities. Embolo was also convincing until he and the rest of the team ran out of ideas and probably also a bit of energy from the 50th minute onwards.
With zero points after two games, Switzerland are now under pressure. The next games will take place on October 12 in Serbia and on October 15 against Denmark.
Comments on the game
The live ticker to read afterwards
Switzerland
Spain
- Zeki Amdouni - 1:2 (41.)
- (4.) 0:1 - Joselu
- (13.) 0:2 - Fabián Ruiz
- (77.) 1:3 - Fabián Ruiz
- (80.) 1:4 - Ferran Torres
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Liveticker
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Liveticker closed
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END
Switzerland lose 1:4 against Spain
Switzerland lose their first Nations League home game against European champions Spain 1:4 despite being outnumbered for a long time. Zeki Amdouni scored the Swiss goal in Geneva to make it 1:2 shortly before the break.
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90.+3
Free kick for Switzerland
Amdouni is fouled outside the sixteen. One last good chance for a Swiss goal. The wall clears for a corner, but it is not taken. The referee blows his whistle.
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85.
Change for Switzerland
Steffen comes on for Vargas for the last few minutes. It's all about damage limitation.
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81.
Change for Spain
Fabian Ruiz makes way for Garcia.
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80.
Ferran Torres makes it 4:1
Ferran Torres once again gets the better of the pitiful Omeragic to make it 4:1. Even the boldest optimists can no longer believe that Switzerland will win a point.
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77.
Fabian Ruiz makes it 3:1 for Spain
Goalkeeper Raya opens the scoring with a long ball to Ferran Torres, who cuts off Omeragic and passes to the middle, where he finds Fabian Ruiz, who scores his second goal and stabs Switzerland in the heart.
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76.
Double substitution for Switzerland
Debutant Monteiro and Duah come on for Aebischer and Embolo.
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71.
Carvajal receives an arm to the face
Carvajal runs into Freuler from behind and gets his arm slapped in the face. There is no sign of intent and the pain is probably not quite as great as the Spaniard's theatrical behavior would have the world believe.
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69.
Torres and Carvajal see yellow
Torres and Carvajal tackle Aebischer and both are shown a yellow card.
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65.
Vargas celebrates an anniversary - and more?
Vargas is playing his 50th international match today. It would be nice to congratulate him on a point or a win after the game. And it wouldn't be surprising if he had his feet in the game. Because Vargas plays a strong game.
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64.
Rieder gets a corner
Sierro passes to Rieder, who gets past his opponent and passes into the box. A Spaniard intervenes but can only clear for a corner. This then poses little danger.
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62.
Double substitution for Switzerland
Sierro comes on for Zakaria, Rieder for Rodriguez.
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60.
Swiss powerplay
The Swiss are passing the ball back and forth, it feels like they are all around the penalty area. However, the Swiss are still finding it difficult to create dangerous chances.
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58.
Double substitution for Spain
Williams and Rodri leave the pitch and are replaced by Pino and Zubimendi. The feared wing-back pairing of Yamal and Williams is no longer on the pitch. The Spaniards seem to be preparing for a defensive battle.
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52.
Wüthrich is also cautioned
Wüthrich also receives a yellow card for a foul on Joselu.
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52.
Freuler sees yellow
Freuler is not happy with the referee and lets him know. Not a good idea, he gets a yellow card.
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51.
Swiss pressing in the pouring rain
It's raining cats and dogs and the already battered pitch is certainly not getting any easier to play on. However, the Swiss made clever use of this in the opening minutes of the second half, putting the Spaniards under a lot of pressure and forcing them into mistakes.
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48.
Swiss equalizer does not count
After a corner kick, Amdouni heads the ball into the net to make it 2:2. However, the goal does not count as Vargas' corner appears to have crossed the baseline.
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46.
Change for Spain
Yamal makes way for Fernan Torres after the break
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46.
Kick-off for the 2nd half
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HALF-TIME
Spain lead Switzerland 2:1 at the break
After Spain's early double strike, the Swiss only let their heads drop briefly. In the 20th minute, Embolo got the better of his opponent and could only be stopped with an emergency stop, and Le Normand was shown red. The Spaniards also had a few chances while short-handed, but as the game wore on, the national team increasingly took control of the game and Amdouni's goal was more than deserved. In stoppage time, a handball by Yamal could have resulted in a penalty for Switzerland, but the VAR did not intervene. Everything still seems possible in the second half.
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45.+7'
Vargas with another chance
Vargas, again and again Vargas. The winger plays a very strong game and has another chance to score. His shot is too central, however, and is saved by the goalkeeper.
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45.+5'
The Swiss claim a penalty
Vargas plays the ball to Yamal's arm from close range and the Swiss immediately claim a penalty. But the VAR does not intervene. The decision could certainly have been different.
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45.
Akanji cooks Yamal off
Akanji wins a running duel against Yamal, who puts the ball too far forward. Well done from today's captain.
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41.
Amdouni scores to make it 1:2
After a corner, Embolo extends the ball with his head, directly into the feet of the completely free Amdouni. The Benfica Lisbon striker has no problem pushing the ball over the line.
![Amdouni scores the equalizer.]()
Amdouni scores the equalizer. Keystone -
40.
Vargas forces Raya into a brilliant save
Vargas controls a long ball perfectly and then tries a direct shot past the onrushing defender. The shot is perfectly on target, but Raya prevents the Swiss goal with a brilliant save.
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38.
The Swiss press
The Swiss have a lot of possession, but are unable to create much danger. Vargas is catching the eye with his dribbles down the left wing, but his crosses are not yet finding their teammates.
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31.
Embolo is set up
Amdouni passes a ball directly to Embolo, who is thwarted by a Spaniard who is able to clear for a corner. But that's how it could go.
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30.
Kobel with a strong save
Yamal moves into the box from the right and flicks the ball into the far corner with his powerful left foot. Kobel smells a rat and deflects the ball to the side.
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28.
Spain make a change
After the red card, the Spanish coach makes a change. Pedri has to make way for Vivian.
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25.
Amdouni smashes the free kick against the crossbar
Amdouni curls the free kick over the Spanish wall from around 20 meters, but fails to hit the crossbar. What a game.
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20.
Le Normand wrestles Embolo down and sees red
Embolo is held back by Le Normand and brought down, thwarting a clear goalscoring opportunity as the man at the back. The referee does not hesitate and shows the red card. However, this is checked, as Embolo may have started from offside. In this case, the card would be rescinded. But this is not the case, Le Normand leaves the pitch with his head down.
![Le Normand is shown the red card for this foul on Embolo.]()
Le Normand is shown the red card for this foul on Embolo. Keystone -
18..
Ruben Vargas sees yellow
Vargas pulls Carvajal and Yamal back and is shown a yellow card.
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13.
Fabian Ruiz makes it 2:0
Aebischer and Zakaria seem to be in each other's way, Yamal grabs the ball and launches Williams. He leaves Wüthrich standing, but fails to beat Kobel, who can only deflect the ball forward and the ball lands directly at the feet of Fabian Ruiz, who makes it 2:0.
![Fabian Ruiz scores to make it 2:0.]()
Fabian Ruiz scores to make it 2:0. Keystone -
7.
Omeragic's goal does not count
Madness, Switzerland have already equalized. And the scorer is Omeragic, who wasn't actually supposed to be in the starting eleven. Standing at the second post, he pushes the ball over the line after a wonderful cross from Embolo. But the referee looks at the whole thing again on the screen and sees a handball by Freuler when the goal is scored. Bitter, bitter!
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4.
Goal for Spain
Yamal dances past Freuler in the Swiss penalty area, Aebischer is also unable to prevent the cross to the middle, where Joselu rises higher than Wüthrich and nods in to make it 1:0. Kobel deflects the ball away, but unfortunately behind the line.
![Joselu scores early to make it 1:0 for Spain.]()
Joselu scores early to make it 1:0 for Spain. Keystone -
3.
Kobel has to intervene for the first time
A cross from Aebischer is intercepted by the Spaniards, who switch gears at lightning speed and force Kobel to make his first save.
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1.
Kick-off in Geneva
The ball is rolling ...
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#
It will start here shortly
The players are on the pitch. After the anthems, we're off!
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#Preview
Omeragic replaces Widmer
After the warm-up, Widmer throws in the towel. Omeragic now plays in his place.
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#Preview
The sold-out Stade de Genève fills up
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#Preview
Switzerland's line-up
As announced by Yakin, Wüthrich (for Elvedi) and Zakaria (for Xhaka) move into the starting eleven against Spain. There is also a change in attack: Zeki Amdouni comes in on the right in place of Fabian Rieder.
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#Preview
How European champions Spain will play against the Nati
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#Preview
Spain are missing Olmo and Oyarzabal
A look at the Spain squad for the game against Switzerland shows: The Iberians will have to do without their European Championship stars Dani Olmo (FC Barcelona), Mikel Oyarzabal (Real Sociedad) and Alvaro Morata (AC MIlan) against the Nati. The absences are due to injury.
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#Preview
blue Sport watches the Spain stars train at the Stade de Genève
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#Preview
Yakin: "I'm glad I don't have to play against Yamal"
Without Xhaka against European champions Spain, with wonder wingers Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams - not much speaks for the Nati today at the Stade de Genève. Even Murat Yakin raves about the style of play of the two Spanish wingers and admits with regard to the 17-year-old Yamal: "I'm glad I don't have to play against him."
At least the statistics from recent years give us hope. Switzerland is one of the few countries to have a balanced record against Spain since the turn of the millennium. The total of 7 matches resulted in 2 wins, 3 draws and 2 defeats.
![Unforgettable: Gelson Fernandes scoring Switzerland's goal in a 1-0 victory over the eventual tournament winners at the 2010 World Cup.]()
Unforgettable: Gelson Fernandes scoring Switzerland's goal in a 1-0 victory over the eventual tournament winners at the 2010 World Cup. Picture: KEYSTONE -
#Preview
Rarely has there been so much laughter at a national team press conference
Hopefully the national team will have as much to laugh about after the game against the European champions Spain as Yakin and Zakaria did at the press conference on Saturday. It's wonderful how Zakaria reacts to the captain's irritation (see video below). Click here for the article.
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#Preview
Yakin reveals how the Nati dealt with the frustrating game against Denmark
At the media conference ahead of the Spain game on Saturday evening, Murat Yakin reveals who will replace the suspended Granit Xhaka and Nico Elvedi and how Switzerland have dealt with the frustrating defeat against Denmark. Click here for the article.
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#Preview
Akanji is Swiss captain against Spain
Murat Yakin gave a quick answer to the captain question on Saturday: "Manuel Akanji". The 29-year-old will wear the captain's armband against Spain on Sunday evening in place of Granit Xhaka.
Xhaka will miss Switzerland's game against the European champions following his red card in Thursday's Denmark match.
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90.+4.End of 2nd half
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85.Substitution in Switzerland
Renato Steffen
Midfielder
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85.Substitution out Switzerland
Ruben Vargas
Striker
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81.Substitution in Spain
Aleix García
Midfielder
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81.Substitution out Spain
Fabián Ruiz
Midfielder
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80.Goal for Spain, 1:4 through Ferran Torres (Joselu)
Ferran Torres
Striker
Assist: Joselu
Striker
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77.Goal for Spain, 1:3 through Fabián Ruiz (Ferran Torres)
Fabián Ruiz
Midfielder
Assist: Ferran Torres
Striker
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76.Substitution in Switzerland
Kwadwo Duah
Striker
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76.Substitution out Switzerland
Breel Embolo
Striker
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76.Substitution in Switzerland
Joël Monteiro
Striker
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76.Substitution out Switzerland
Michel Aebischer
Midfielder
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69.Yellow card Spain
Ferran Torres
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69.Yellow card Spain
Dani Carvajal
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62.Substitution in Switzerland
Vincent Sierro
Midfielder
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62.Substitution out Switzerland
Denis Zakaria
Midfielder
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61.Substitution in Switzerland
Fabian Rieder
Striker
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61.Substitution out Switzerland
Ricardo Rodríguez
Defender
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58.Substitution in Spain
Yéremi Pino
Striker
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58.Substitution out Spain
Nico Williams
Striker
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58.Substitution in Spain
Martín Zubimendi
Midfielder
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58.Substitution out Spain
Rodri
Midfielder
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53.Yellow card Switzerland
Greg Wüthrich
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52.Yellow card Switzerland
Remo Freuler
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46.Substitution in Spain
Ferran Torres
Striker
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46.Substitution out Spain
Lamine Yamal
Striker
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46.Kick-off 2nd half
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45.+8.End of 1st half
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41.Goal for Switzerland, 1:2 through Zeki Amdouni (Breel Embolo)
Zeki Amdouni
Striker
Assist: Breel Embolo
Striker
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27.Substitution in Spain
Dani Vivian
Defender
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27.Substitution out Spain
Pedri
Midfielder
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20.Red card Spain (direct)
Robin Le Normand
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18.Yellow card Switzerland
Ruben Vargas
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13.Goal for Spain, 0:2 through Fabián Ruiz
Fabián Ruiz
Midfielder
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4.Goal for Spain, 0:1 through Joselu (Lamine Yamal)
Joselu
Striker
Assist: Lamine Yamal
Striker
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1.Start of the match
