Spain 1-0 Switzerland: Mikel Oyarzabal strike from Yann Sommer howler seals unconvincing win for Luis Enrique’s side, who remain top of Nations League Group 4
- Spain hosted Switzerland at Madrid’s Alfredo Di Stefano stadium on Saturday
- The hosts went ahead after 14 minutes with Mikel Oyarzabal tapping in
- Yann Sommer’s embarrassing error, passing the ball to Spain, led to the goal
- Spain were unconvincing but remain top of Group 4 ahead of Germany
Spain needed a passing blunder by Switzerland goalkeeper Yann Sommer to secure a 1-0 win and keep the lead of its Nations League group on Saturday.
Sommer got flustered by Spain’s pressure and played the ball past his teammate and directly to Mikel Merino, who set up Real Sociedad team-mate Mikel Oyarzabal to score the game’s only goal in the 14th minute.
Where Sommer let his team down, David de Gea rescued Spain.
Spain ran-out 1-0 winners against Switzerland on Saturday night at Alfredo Di Stefano stadium
Yann Sommer’s error allowed Mikel Oyarzabal to smash in from close-range in the first-half
The game lacked quality in the final third but Spain remain top of their Nations League group
Switzerland’s only scoring opportunity came before Oyarzabal’s goal. Silvan Widmer got free on a counterattack and his pass across the area reached fellow wing back Loris Benito arriving alone on the left side.
De Gea, however, made a great one-handed save to parry Benito’s powerful strike.
Spain lead Group 4 with seven points. Germany have five points after beating Ukraine 2-1 on Saturday, leaving Ukraine with three points. The Swiss are last with one point.
Teenage sensation Ansu Fati, who became Spain’s youngest goal-scorer at 17-years-old after making his international debut last month, was back in the starting 11 after skipping a friendly against Portugal that ended 0-0 on Wednesday.
Spain looked unconvincing but Switzerland struggled to cause them problems in either half
Arsenal’s skipper Granit Xhaka couldn’t lead his team to a much-needed win in Group 4
Fati was mostly kept in check, like the rest of his teammates, and coach Luis Enrique substituted him for Adama Traore in the second half.
Traore, who made his international debut against Portugal, slalomed past three defenders on his first touch. His second possession ended with him putting in a dangerous cross.
But other than those flashes by Traore, it was a match that might make Luis Enrique doubt about his choices as he tries to established a new generation of players capable of challenging for a major title.
Adama Traore featured for the first time for Spain in the Nations League after rejecting Mali
Barcelona’s teenager wonderkid Ansu Fati had impressive spells on the wings for Spain
Oyarzabal wasted a good chance to score a second goal from close range when he deflected Jesus Navas’ cross wide from close. Merino shot high from the heart of the area. Ferran Torres offered little on the right flank.
The team was strong in defence, though, with Pau Torres complementing Sergio Ramos in the centre of the defence and the team’s pressure never letting the Swiss get any rhythm in attack.
Spain visit Ukraine next on Tuesday.