10-man Spain sink Switzerland 4-1 in UEFA Nations League

Spain grabbed their first win since lifting the Euro 2024 title by comprehensively beating Switzerland 4-1 in the Nations League in Geneva on Sunday, despite going down to 10 men.

Joselu scored a fourth-minute header and Fabian Ruiz struck Spain’s second in the 13th, before defender Robin Le Normand was sent off seven minutes later.

Zeki Amdouni pulled one back for Switzerland in the 41st minute to give the hosts hope.

However, Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Ruiz struck again in the 77th minute before substitute Ferran Torres delivered the coup de grace three minutes later.

The rain-soaked match was a sell-out played before 26,265 fans at the Stade de Geneve, where the pitch remains in poor condition. The grass has been plagued by fungus, the holes being covered with green paint.

Denmark lead the 2024–25 UEFA Nations League A Group 4 with six points after beating Serbia 2-0 in Copenhagen earlier Sunday.

– Quick-fire start –

In their first match since beating England 2-1 in the Euro 2024 final in July, Spain opened their Nations League title defence on Thursday with a frustrating goalless draw with Serbia in Belgrade.

Meanwhile Switzerland had a disastrous night in Copenhagen, losing 2-0 to Denmark, with both captain Granit Xhaka and defender Nico Elvedi sent off.

Spain manager Luis de la Fuente made four changes to face the Swiss, bringing in Joselu, Alex Grimaldo, Pedri and captain Rodri.

Former Newcastle and Alaves striker Joselu, now playing at Al-Gharafa in Qatar, got Spain off to a flying start, heading in Lamine Yamal’s pinpoint cross at the far post.

Swiss goalkeeper Gregor Kobel made a diving stop but after a VAR check, the ball was deemed to have crossed the line.

The hosts thought they had equalised three minutes later when Becir Omeragic tapped in, but the goal was ruled out by VAR due a to handball in the build-up.

Spain then rubbed salt into the wounds in the 13th minute.

Yamal sent Nico Williams bursting through the Swiss defence and though his shot was saved by Kobel, Ruiz blasted in the rebound.

Spain’s last man Le Normand was sent off in the 20th minute for bundling over Breel Embolo outside the box. Amdouni rattled the crossbar with the resulting free kick.

– Swiss caught out –

Switzerland went on the attack and struck shortly before the break after livewire Ruben Vargas forced Spain goalkeeper David Raya into a one-handed diving save.

The resulting Vargas corner was flicked on by Embolo, and Benfica striker Amdouni swept the ball in to get the Swiss fans rattling their cowbells in delight.

Amdouni had the ball in the net from a 48th-minute corner but the effort was ruled out for a foul in the build-up.

Though Switzerland pressed for the equaliser, Spain’s defence kept the hosts at bay for most of the second half before putting the result beyond doubt.

Striker Torres, on for Barcelona team-mate Yamal at the break, crossed from the byline for Ruiz who tapped in past the flat-footed Kobel.

Torres then surged through the middle on the breakaway before passing the ball beyond Kobel.

AFP